ORAU Team

NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Project

Technical Basis Document for the Rocky Flats Plant – 

Occupational Environmental Dose

Document Number:

ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 

Effective Date: 06/29/2004 

Revision No.: 01 

Controlled Copy No.: ______

Page 1 of 56

Subject Experts: Laura McDowell-Boyer and Craig Little

Document Owner

Approval: Signature on File Date: 06/25/2004

Robert Meyer, TBD Team Leader

Approval: Signature on File Date: 06/29/2004

Judson L. Kenoyer, Task 3 Manager

Concurrence: Signature on File Date: 06/28/2004

Richard E. Toohey, Project Director

Approval: Signature on File Date: 06/29/2004

James W. Neton, OCAS Health Science Administrator

Supersedes:

Rev. 00

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

Record of Issue/Revisions ...................................................................................................................

Page

5

Acronyms and Abbreviations ...............................................................................................................6

4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 7

4.1.1 Purpose..............................................................................................................................7

4.1.2 Content ..............................................................................................................................7

4.2 Internal Dose from Onsite Atmospheric Radionuclide Concentrations......................................... 8

4.2.1 Radionuclides of Concern ..................................................................................................8

4.2.2 Source Terms.....................................................................................................................9

4.2.2.1 Pre-1993 Source Terms ............................................................................................9

4.2.2.2 Post-1992 Source Terms...........................................................................................9

4.2.3 Annual Intake of Radioactivity ............................................................................................9

4.3 External Exposure to Onsite Atmospheric Radionuclide Concentrations................................... 12

4.3.1 Radionuclides of Concern ................................................................................................ 12

4.3.2 Exposure Rates................................................................................................................12

4.4 Uncertainty................................................................................................................................14

4.4.1 Uncertainty in Internal Exposure Estimates ...................................................................... 14

4.4.1.1 Intakes Estimated for 1953 to 1964 ......................................................................... 14

4.4.1.2 Intakes Estimated for 1965 to Present ..................................................................... 15

4.4.2 Uncertainties in External Dose Estimate........................................................................... 16

References ........................................................................................................................................19
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Glossary ............................................................................................................................................22

Attachment A

24

Estimation of Plutonium Air Concentrations at the 

Rocky Flats Plant..................................................................................................

A.1 Measurement of Total Long-Lived Alpha Activity and Plutonium in Air...................................... 25

A.2 Atmospheric Transport Modeling .............................................................................................. 27

References ........................................................................................................................................31

Attachment B

49

Screening of Radionuclide Source Terms for 

Environmental Dose Evaluation ...........................................................................

B.1 Screening Methodology ............................................................................................................ 49

B.2 Tritium.......................................................................................................................................50

B.3 Depleted and Enriched Uranium ............................................................................................... 50

B.4 Americium-241..........................................................................................................................51

References ........................................................................................................................................52

 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 3 of 56

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

Table 4-1. Annual inhalation intake of 239,240Pu for 1953 to 1964, based on 16

atmospheric modeling

Table 4-2. Annual inhalation intake of 239,240Pu and 241Am (1965 to 2002), based on 17

monitoring data

Table 4-3. Onsite TLD measurements for listed years. 18
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 4 of 56

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

4.2.3-1 Grid map used in atmospheric modeling, showing location of six 

computational nodes representing the Industrial Area of the RFP ....................................

Page

10

4.3.2-1 External dose (mrem/yr) at the RFP as a function of year ................................................ 13

4-A-1 Location of samplers operated by the Rocky Flats contractor........................................... 35

4-A-2 Location of onsite computational nodes used to predict average on-site air 

concentrations for the RFP Industrial Area ....................................................................... 36

4-A-3 Annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time for 

particles < 30 μm Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter (AED) in the Rocky Flats 

Plant industrial area.......................................................................................................... 37

4-A-4 Annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time for 

particles < 30 μm Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter (AED) in the perimeter 

area surrounding the Rocky Flats Plant............................................................................ 38

4-A-5 Location of offsite air samplers in 1975 ............................................................................ 39

4-A-6 Map of eastern part of Rocky Flats industrial area, showing locations of 

Colorado Department of Health air monitoring stations D-1 through D-5 .......................... 40

4-A-7 Location of the computational nodes used to compute annual average 

perimeter concentrations illustrated in Figure 4-A-6 .......................................................... 41
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RECORD OF ISSUE/REVISIONS

ISSUE 

AUTHORIZATION 

DATE

EFFECTIVE 

DATE

REV. 

NO. DESCRIPTION

Draft 09/19/2003 00-A Technical Basis Document for the Rocky Flats 

Plant – Occupational Environmental Dose. 

Initiated by Robert Meyer.

Draft 11/11/2003 00-B Incorporates OCAS and ORAU comments. 

Initiated by Robert Meyer.

Draft 11/26/2003 00-C Incorporates second set of OCAS comments. 

Initiated by Robert Meyer.

Draft 12/17/2003 00-D Incorporates OCAS comment from 12/17/2003. 

Initiated by Robert Meyer.

1/06/2004 01/06/2004 00 First approved issue. Initiated by Robert 

Meyer.

Draft 03/19/2004 01-A NIOSH material added to Introduction; Table 4-

1 Columns corrected; Table 4-2 values 

corrected; P. 50 table list change; Sect. B.2 3

H 

dose factor discussion added; P. 52 table ID 

changed. Initiated by Robert Meyer

Draft 05/07/2004 01-B Averaged two 1973 Pu and Am intake values 

to provide one annual estimate; changed FEIS 

reference citation on p. 8, and corrected 

reference list for 2 citations. Initiated by Robert 

Meyer

Draft 05/24/2004 01-C Includes changes recommended by reviewers 

Naimon and McGolerick. Initiated by Robert 

Meyer.

06/29/2004 06/29/2004 01 Approved issue of Revision 01. Initiated by 

Robert Meyer.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 6 of 56

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

α alpha particle

AED Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter

AMAD Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter

Am americium

CDH Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (previously Colorado 

Department of Health)

Ci curie

DOE Department of Energy

EEOICPA Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act

EPA Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.)

H hydrogen

hr hour

ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection

μm micrometer

m3 cubic meter

mrem millirem

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

pCi picocurie

Pu plutonium

RAC Risk Assessment Corporation

RATCHET Regional Atmospheric Transport Code for Hanford Environmental Tracking

RFETS Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site

RFP Rocky Flats Plant

TBD Technical Basis Document

TLD Thermoluminescent Dosimeter

TLLα total long-lived alpha

yr year
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4.1 INTRODUCTION

4.1.1 Purpose

Technical Basis Documents and Site Profile Documents are general working documents that provide 

guidance concerning the preparation of dose reconstructions at particular sites or categories of sites. 

They will be revised in the event additional relevant information is obtained about the affected site(s). 

These documents may be used to assist NIOSH in the completion of the individual work required for 

each dose reconstruction.

In preparing this report, available information about the RFP environment dating back to 1952 was 

used. The user is strongly advised to consider the remarks in the text on appropriate use and 

interpretation of the material. 

In this document the word “facility” is used as a general term for an area, building or group of buildings 

that served a specific purpose at a site. It does not necessarily connote an “atomic weapons 

employer facility” or a “ Department of Energy facility” as defined in the Energy Employee 

Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. § 7384l (5) and (12)). 

4.1.2 Content

The term occupational environmental dose refers to the radiation dose received in the course of work 

duties, outside plant buildings, but on the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) site. Internal and external 

exposures to radionuclides in the outdoor environment are considered separately here in calculating 

this dose. Estimated occupational environmental dose may be utilized when a worker was not 

monitored adequately to develop a reliable individual dose.

Section 4.2 presents information necessary to estimate internal environmental dose. First it identifies 

the radionuclides of concern. Screening the list of radionuclides relied on work done for the Historical 

Public Exposure Studies on Rocky Flats (ChemRisk 1994a; Rood and Grogan 1999). Section 4.2 

discusses the resulting source terms (release rates) for radionuclides considered potentially 

significant to internal environmental dose and provides estimated annual inhalation intake activities of 

radionuclides.

Section 4.3 contains information necessary for estimating external environmental dose. Ambient 

doses, taken from annual environmental reports for RFP published from 1975 through 1995, were 

developed for the site. The reports summarize external dose as measured by thermoluminescent 

dosimeters (TLDs) at the Plant, its general environs, and selected nearby communities. 

Section 4.4 considers uncertainties in the information provided for estimating occupational 

environmental dose. The discussion addresses sources of uncertainty, and provides quantitative 

information where possible. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 8 of 56

4.2 INTERNAL DOSE FROM ONSITE ATMOSPHERIC RADIONUCLIDE 

CONCENTRATIONS

4.2.1

The Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats were conducted in the 1990s as part of a 

1989 Agreement in Principle between DOE and the State of Colorado to identify potential health 

effects in nearby communities exposed to past releases. Phase I and Phase II of the studies provided 

comprehensive analyses of releases of radionuclides from RFP during its operational period, which 

ran from 1952 to 1994 (ChemRisk 1994a; Voillequé 1999a; Voillequé 1999b; Voillequé 1999c; Weber 

et al. 1999). The releases analyzed are believed to be the best estimates available, and are used 

here to estimate air concentrations on the plant site.

Radionuclides of Concern

The Phase I study identified several radionuclides as potentially significant releases – Hydrogen-3, 

natural thorium, enriched and depleted uranium, 239/240Pu, 241Pu, and 241Am. The results of the Phase 

I study identified plutonium as the primary material of concern with respect to off-site exposures. 

The Phase II study focused the air-pathway exposure assessment on the isotopes of plutonium. The 

potential importance of 3

H, enriched and depleted uranium, and 241Am to onsite exposures was 

reevaluated to determine if previous determinations of insignificance were relevant for occupational 

exposures. Releases of natural thorium were difficult to quantify, but were probably insignificant 

based on a review of processes and ventilation filter use (ChemRisk 1994a, Task 5, page 123).

To evaluate the potential significance of radionuclides other than isotopes of plutonium, an estimate 

was developed of annual inhalation dose using airborne stack emission estimates from the Phase I 

study, the air dispersion modeling results from Phase II, an assumed inhalation rate of 2,400 m3

/yr 

(ICRP 1975), and dose factors from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 

Publication 72 (ICRP 1996). Attachment 4A contains a summary of the atmospheric dispersion 

model. Attachment 4B discusses the methods and results of this screening evaluation. Briefly, the 

maximum inhalation dose in any given year since 1953 for any of these radionuclides was estimated 

to be that for 241Am, on the order of 2 mrem for the stack releases. The maximum predicted annual 

doses for 3

H, depleted uranium, and enriched uranium were 0.05 mrem, 0.5 mrem, and 0.3 mrem, 

respectively. The Phase I study estimated that 241Am is present, on average, at up to 0.30 times the 

alpha activity of 239,240Pu in the 903 Area due to ingrowth of 241Am from 241Pu in the cutting oil stored in 

that area and in soils contaminated with the cutting oil (Appendix H, ChemRisk 1994b). Therefore, 241Am associated with soil resuspended from the 903 Area was considered a contributor to dose, but 

stack releases of 241Am, 3

H, and the uranium isotopes were excluded as contributors.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the RFP (DOE 1980) indicates an isotopic composition 

of Pu by weight as follows:

Isotope Percent by weight

Percent of Pu alpha 

activitya

Pu-238 0.01 2.33

Pu-239 93.79 79.62

Pu-240 5.80 18.04

Pu-241 0.36 (beta emitter)

Pu-242 0.03 .00161

a. From ChemRisk 1994a (p. 105, Table 2-34).

Plutonium-238 and 242Pu are minor contributors to the alpha activity of plutonium expected in the RFP 

environment. Therefore, the following sections report source terms and intakes for 239,240Pu.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 9 of 56

4.2.2

The discussion of atmospheric source terms for isotopes of 239,240Pu and 241Am released to the RFP 

environment addresses two phases: the pre-1993 phase, when production activities were ongoing, 

and the post-1992 phase, when production activities had ceased, and releases were more likely to 

occur as a result of past contamination or decontamination and decommissioning activities.

Source Terms

4.2.2.1 Pre-1993 Source Terms

Between 1953 and 1993, fabrication and recycling activities at RFP resulted in radionuclide releases 

to the onsite atmospheric environment as a result of “routine” operations (continuous releases), and 

“nonroutine incidents” (discrete events). The term “routine” was used in the Radiological 

Assessments Corporation (RAC) Phase II dose reconstruction reports to distinguish continuous 

releases from the release spikes that occurred during the 1957 and 1969 fires and during 903 Area 

high-wind events. 

The most significant discrete release occurred during and shortly after September 11, 1957. A 

glovebox fire in Building 71 (now called Building 771) resulted in a release of plutonium estimated at 

21 curies (50th-percentile estimate, Voillequé 1999a). The next most significant discrete release

location was the 903 Drum Storage Area (also called the 903 Pad or 903 Area). An estimated 3.1 

curies (50th percentile) of plutonium (<30 μm size fraction) were released from the 903 Pad over 

several years, mainly as a result of mechanical disturbance and wind action (Weber et al. 1999). This 

estimate is comprised of the 24-hour integrated release quantities for 24 identified discrete events 

during the 1964-to-1969 period. An asphalt pad placed over the area in 1970 decreased the source 

term dramatically, although resuspension of downwind contaminated soil continued to disperse 

plutonium to the air in later years. The third most significant nonroutine contaminant release occurred 

during the May 11, 1969, fire, when approximately 0.037 Ci (37 mCi) of plutonium were released from 

the Building 779 stack (Voillequé 1999b). 

Total routine (non-discrete-event) plutonium emissions from 1953 to 1989 are estimated to be on the 

order of 0.12 Ci (Voillequé 1999c). This estimate does not include releases due to resuspension of 

contaminated soil downwind of the 903 Pad. 

4.2.2.2 Post-1992 Source Terms

After 1992, production operations at the RFP officially ceased. However, source terms of plutonium to

the environment still exist due from contaminated soils and due to the presence of plutonium 

contamination within buildings at the site. Air monitoring continues to be carried out by the RFP 

contractor and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDH). It is reasonable to 

expect that atmospheric concentrations will not increase unless decommissioning activities mobilize 

previous contamination.

4.2.3

To calculate annual intake of 239,240Pu and 241Am, the estimated annual average air concentrations of 

these isotopes in the RFP environment were multiplied by an annual inhalation rate. The assumed 

intake rate was 2,400 m3

/yr (ICRP 1975), corresponding to an hourly rate of 1.2 m3, for light activity 

and a 2,000-hr work year. Intake can be scaled for increased inhalation rates or other than 2,000 

hours of exposure.

Annual Intake of Radioactivity
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Air concentrations of 239,240Pu and 241Am were estimated as described in Attachment 4A. Onsite air 

monitoring data are the preferred source of air concentrations for 239,240Pu. After 1964, suspension or 

resuspension (Rood and Grogan 1999, p. 57) of contaminated soil was the main source of plutonium 

to onsite air. Thus, activity concentrations of 241Am can be estimated after 1964 by assuming that the 

concentration of 241Am is 30% of the 239,240Pu concentration (ChemRisk 1994b, p. H-1). 

Attachment 4A describes the use of atmospheric dispersion modeling results from the Phase II study 

to estimate air concentrations and intake between 1953 and 1964. During this period, air monitoring 

results were not readily available and usually did not allow derivation of 239,240Pu concentrations. After 

1964, air monitoring data provided either total long-lived alpha (TLLα) concentrations, from which 

239,240Pu values could be derived, or actual measurements of 239,240Pu. The annual environmental 

reports (Dow 1972 through 1975; Rockwell 1976 through 1989; EG&G 1989 through 1993; Kaiser-Hill 

1994) were often especially useful in providing annual summaries of air concentrations by sampler 

location, as well as maximum site concentrations based on monthly reporting.

Table 4-1 lists estimated annual intakes of 239,240Pu between 1953 and 1964, based on atmospheric 

modeling described in Attachment 4A. The values are expressed in pCi/yr. One pCi/yr is equivalent 

to 10-12 Ci/year. The calculated intakes represent an average for six computational nodes in the RFP 

industrial area, and are exclusive of the buffer zone (Figure 4-1). Table 4-1 includes the 50th- and 

95th-percentile estimates associated with particles less than 15 μm aerodynamic equivalent diameter 

(AED) which is an upper limit for respirable particles according to Rood and Grogan (1999, page iv). 

Since this likely includes particles that are larger than ICRP 66 (1994) default respirable size of 5μm 

AMAD, use of the intakes in Table 4-1 are likely to be claimant-favorable.

479000 479500 480000 480500 481000 481500 482000 482500 483000 483500 484000 484500 485000 485500 486000

UTM Coordinate East (m)

4413000

4413500

4414000

4414500

4415000

4415500

4416000

4416500

4417000

4417500

4418000

4418500

UTM Coordinate North (m)

N

W E

S

128

Buffer zone boundary

Plant exclusion boundary

Woman Creek

North Walnut Creek

Industrial Area

Figure 4-1. Grid map used in atmospheric modeling, showing locations of six 

computational nodes representing the RFP Industrial Area. 
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Table 4-1 lists two results for 1957. Results for “1957” include the September 11 fire, which caused 

the annual intakes to be substantially higher than the years before and after. If a worker was known 

to have been present during that year, and that individual might have been present in September, it is 

appropriate to use this value. The results for “1957, w/o fire” can be used for individuals who worked 

a partial year that did not include the month of September. Elevated releases of 239,240Pu attributable 

to the 1957 fire occurred over several hours after the fire began at approximately 10:00 p.m. on 

September 11. Exposure to the direct releases would have occurred during that month (the air 

concentrations associated with soil-deposited 239,240Pu from the fire are included in both 1957 values 

by considering resuspension of contaminated soil in the dispersion modeling). 

In Table 4-1, the 50th and 95th percentiles represent the median and 95th percent estimates of 

concentration for 500 Monte Carlo model realizations simulated for each year. The distribution 

associated with the percentiles is not readily described as either normal or lognormal. The proper 

interpretation of the 95% confidence limits about the “average” (50th percentile) and “maximum” (95th

percentile) in Table 4-1 is discussed in Section 4.4.1.1. Briefly, these limits describe the degree of 

confidence that the percentile value of the sampled distribution represents the true percentile value of 

the underlying distribution.

Table 4-2 lists estimated annual intakes of 239,240Pu and 241Am between 1965 and 2002. The average 

values for 239,240Pu in this table are based on measured concentrations at samplers across the site, 

but often are biased toward the highest concentrations, typically near the 903 Area after 1970 

because concentrations are more often reported for samplers in that area and not for samplers in 

other RFP areas. Therefore, the average values are inherently claimant-favorable when used as an 

average for the industrial area. The maximum values listed in Table 4-2 represent the largest monthly 

concentrations identified for the same samplers. The 239,240Pu air concentrations supporting the 

intakes in Table 4-2 are described in Attachment 4A and summarized in Table 4A-2. For 1999 and 

later, intakes are assumed to be the maximum values over the last 20 years, due to the lack of onsite 

monitoring data readily available (see Attachment 4A). Intakes were calculated from air

concentrations by assuming a respirable fraction of 1.0, despite the reported values of this parameter 

ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 in a review of the subject in Rope et al. 1999, pp. III-79 to III-81). Low- and 

high-volume air samplers at the RFP collected particles larger than respirable (Rope et al., 1999, pp. 

III-140 to 105), but to varying degrees as samplers were replaced over the years. Since a defensible 

respirable fraction is not readily identifiable, a claimant-favorable respirable fraction of 1.0 was 

assumed.

The values reported for 241Am in Table 4-2 (after 1970) were calculated by multiplying the 239,240Pu 

intake values by 0.30, in accordance with the rationale described above in this section. Again, a 

claimant-favorable respirable fraction of 1.0 was assumed.

Annual intakes estimated in Tables 4-1 and 4-2 are based on a 2,400-m3

/year inhalation rate, but can

be scaled to a different rate. Furthermore, the values can be scaled for partial-year exposures, with 

the following cautionary note. For 1957, 90% or more of the intake of 239,240Pu can be attributed to the 

September 11 fire. Thus, if a worker was present on the site for only a portion of 1957, but during 

September, the entire annual intake should be assumed. If a worker was present on site in 1957, but 

not during September, the intake designated “1957 w/o fire” should be assumed, and scaling of this 

value for a partial-year exposure can be done.

The assumed solubility of inhaled 239,240Pu and 241Am considers the following information. Plutonium 

in metal-working operations and involved in fires is generally insoluble (Class S or slowly 

transportable in the lungs) or highly insoluble (super Class S). Exceptions, such as plutonium metal 

associated with solvents, may exist. Plutonium in chemical processing operations can be either 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 12 of 56

soluble (Class M or moderately transportable in the lungs) or insoluble. A claimant-favorable 

approach is to assume insoluble plutonium (Class S) for qualifying cancers associated with the 

respiratory system, and soluble plutonium (Class M) for all other cases.

4.3 EXTERNAL EXPOSURE TO ONSITE ATMOSPHERIC RADIONUCLIDE 

CONCENTRATIONS

4.3.1

As described in Section 4.2.1, 3

H, natural thorium, enriched and depleted uranium, 239/240Pu, 241Pu, 

and 241Am were identified as having been released to the air during the RFP operational period. 

However, since none of the isotopes of concern are strong gamma emitters, there is little external 

dose. 

Radionuclides of Concern

4.3.2

Prior to 1975, external exposure of workers was determined by the use of film badges, not TLDs (see 

Section 6.2, Occupational External Dosimetry). Film badges are not well suited to environmental 

monitoring, and environmental measurements prior to 1975 are not readily available. The

determination concerning this lack of data is consistent with other site evaluations. Rope et al. (1999) 

point out that prior to the early 1970s, environmental data were fewer and of lower quality than later 

data. In his review of RFP (covering 1952 to 1982), Putzier (1982) spends little time discussing 

external occupational exposure measurements and none describing outdoor measurements. This is 

largely because the concern regarding environmental exposures to workers or the public was 

centered on plutonium. Rope et al. (1999) describe external gamma exposures, but the information is 

limited to an analysis of aerial survey data that target plutonium by measuring 241Am. 

Exposure Rates

Data that can be used to estimate external environmental dose exist in annual environmental reports 

for 1975 through 1994 (Dow 1972 through 1975; Rockwell 1976 through 1989; EG&G 1989 through 

1993; Kaiser-Hill 1994). Gamma exposure rates were routinely measured at 12 to 15 locations on the 

site. Those data are plotted in Figure 4-2 and summarized in Table 4-3. The locations of the 

monitoring stations were not available; however, because the estimate of the potential external 

gamma dose to workers is based on the annual average for all locations and all measurement 

periods, specific locations are not essential to the analysis.
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0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

mrem/yr

Annual average

On-site Environmental Gamma Exposures at Rocky Flats Plant

Figure 4-2. External dose (mrem/yr) at the RFP as a function of year.. 

For the 19-year period from 1975 through 1993, the number of independent measurements ranged 

from 87 to 176 per year. Table 4-3 lists the standard deviation of the measured samples for these 

years with the exception of 1977. For 1977, the table lists the standard deviation of the 19 annual 

measurements. There is no explanation available for the relatively large standard deviations in 1975, 

1976, and 1978. The listed exposures are for an entire year (8,760 hours). For claimants whose 

work history encompasses 1975 through 1993, the annual value in Table 4-3 should be prorated by 

the number of hours worked during the year. 

There is no significant trend (α = 0.05) to the means plotted in Figure 4-2. As mentioned above, 

effluents from RFP were largely alpha-emitting radionuclides with no substantial gamma component, 

with the exception of 241Am. Releases attributable to incidents that might have vented outside 

buildings, or due to suspension or resuspension of contaminated soil, would not tend to increase the 

gamma exposure rate appreciably, due to the relatively large contribution of naturally-occurring 

radioactivity to exposure rates measured. Workers subject to environmental doses from such 

incidents would be affected to a far greater extent by internally deposited radionuclides. Therefore, it 

is reasonable to assign the average value of 138 ± 32 mrem per year (8,760 hours) to years not 

represented on this table. This dose rate represents the total dose, including background, so use of 

these values in estimating individual worker doses is claimant-favorable. 

Ambient on-site gamma is significantly larger (p < 0.05) than ambient gamma measured at “perimeter” 

stations, but only by an average of 9%. This would seem to indicate that about 10 mrem/yr may be 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 14 of 56

contributed by contamination inside the exclusion zone boundary. Thus, increases in airborne 

contamination will not necessarily indicate significant increases in total external dose. 

 

Between 1965 and 1970, the large increase in inhalation intake of Pu is due to soil contamination of 

the 903 Area, prior to paving of that area. It is likely that the external dose rate at that location may 

have been elevated compared to other locations at the site due to the Am-241 present. Unfortunately, 

soil concentrations in the barrel storage location are not available, and few soil concentration data are 

available for the site prior to 1969 (Rood and Grogan, 1999). In an attempt to estimate external dose 

to an on-site worker from contaminated soils in the vicinity of the 903 storage area, a Pu soil 

contamination value of 26 uCi/m2 is assumed, based on the 1973 site environmental report which 

reports this value as the maximum observed in 1970 just downwind of the 903 Pad. Using FGR 12 

dose conversion factors for surface contaminated soils, assuming that the maximum

observed concentration was constant over the entire site, and using the same isotopic ratios as Krey 

et al. (1976), we calculate doses at 1 m above ground surface of approx. 4 mrem/yr (for year-round 

exposure). 

 

Another approach taken to estimate the soil concentration in the barrel storage area was based on 

estimates of the total Pu-239 released. According to Weber et al. (1999), the highest release estimate 

for Pu-239 in the 903 storage area was on the order of 1000 g, which corresponds to 62 Ci. If one 

assumes that this is spread over the 550-ft by 475-ft contamination zone of the 903 Area originally 

described (Weber et al. 1990), a maximum estimate of external dose of 18 mrem/yr for Am-241 is 

obtained (assuming Krey's isotopic ratio of 4% for Am-241, the FGR 12 dose conversion factor, a 

depth of contamination of 15 cm, and year-round exposure). 

Finally, we attempted to ascertain what other sources of external exposure might be present. Using 

dose factors in Federal Guidance Report No. 12, we calculated external dose from submersion in air 

containing Am-241. The Am-241 levels were calculated using isotopic ratios published by Krey et al. 

(1976) and modified by RAC when developing soil action levels for the RFETS. Doses from Am-241 

in that scenario were negligible, less than one μrem/yr. For these reasons, we feel that use of the 

ambient gamma values for external environmental dose is reasonable for unmonitored workers 

throughout the time period from 1953 to the present.

4.4 UNCERTAINTY

Uncertainties in estimates of plutonium intake and external dose to an individual employed at the RFP 

are associated with natural variations in environmental concentrations, lack of precise information 

about locations and durations of exposures, and limitations of monitoring data. Not all of these 

uncertainties can be quantified.

4.4.1

4.4.1.1 Intakes Estimated for 1953 to 1964

Uncertainty in Internal Exposure Estimates

The following discussion on uncertainties in the atmospheric dispersion model predictions used to 

estimate intakes for the period from 1953 to 1964 interprets the pertinent text from a Phase II 

document by Rood and Grogan (1999). Uncertainties in model calculations of integrated air 

concentration and intake (Section 4.2.3) arise from model and parameter uncertainty. Model 

uncertainty arises from the inability of the computational algorithms to describe rigorously and 

precisely physical processes that govern the behavior of the system, due either to insufficient 

knowledge of the processes or inability to measure isolated mechanisms driving the processes. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 15 of 56

Model uncertainty is often evaluated in a process called “model validation,” which compares model 

predictions to measured parameters that have not been used to calibrate the model.

Parameter uncertainty arises because of lack of knowledge about, or inability to measure accurately, 

a parameter’s true value. A parameter uncertainty analysis requires the specification of probability 

distributions describing the value of a parameter considered to be uncertain. The assigned 

distribution of a parameter characterizes the degree of belief that the true but unknown value lies 

within a specified range of values. 

The Phase II modeling effort performed parameter uncertainty analysis and model validation. Input 

distributions characterizing the source term, fate and transport calculations, and risk coefficients were 

developed for the model.

The Phase II dispersion modeling for the identified continuous and discrete sources of plutonium to 

the air at the RFP used Monte Carlo simulations combined with simple random sampling to propagate 

uncertainty through the model. In simple random sampling, a random value is taken from the 

distribution specified for each uncertain model parameter, and a single estimate of the desired 

endpoint is calculated. This process is repeated for a specific number of model realizations. The 

result is an empirical approximation of the probability distribution of the model output.

In the current application of the Phase II dispersion model, model output (in pCi/yr annual intake) was 

developed from 500 model realizations each year and categorized into a percentile ranking. The 

ordered statistics for the 5th and 95th percentiles for 500 model realizations are 25 and 475, 

respectively. That is, if the output values for 500 realizations are sorted in ascending order, the 5th 

percentile represents the 25th highest value and the 95th percentile represents the 475th highest 

value. 

A confidence interval can be defined around percentiles of the output distribution using ordered 

statistics to define an interval where the true value of a given percentile is at a specified level of 

confidence. The 95% confidence interval around the 5th percentile in terms of the ordered statistics is 

15 to 35. The 95% confidence interval around the 95th percentile in terms of the ordered statistics is 

465 to 485. This means we are 95% percent confident that 90% of the model output lies between the 

ordered statistics 15 and 485. The range of values represented by these ordered statistics will vary 

depending on the distribution. For example, from Table 4-1, the estimated 95th percentile intake for 

the year 1957 (with the fire) is 3.46E+02, and the 95% confidence intervals around that value range 

between 1.36E+02 and 4.92E+02. However, while these intervals are useful in understanding the 

confidence in the percentile values provided, they make for a complicated table, and thus are not 

provided in the interests of clarity.

The components of uncertainty that appear in the annual intake estimates reflect uncertainty only in 

the source terms and environmental transport. Such components of uncertainty are real in the sense 

they can be derived from measured quantities or inferred from historical records. Uncertainty related 

to exposure scenarios (i.e., location and duration of exposure) were not included in the calculated 

statistics. 

4.4.1.2 Intakes Estimated for 1965 to Present

Uncertainties associated with the reported average annual 239,240Pu air concentrations for the site are 

provided for 1972 to 1976 and 1989 to 1994 in the annual environmental reports (Dow 1972 through 

1975; Rockwell 1976 and 1989; EG&G 1989 through 1993; Kaiser-Hill 1994). For these years, error 

terms representing two standard deviations about the mean (at the 95% confidence level) are 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 16 of 56

calculated assuming the measurements were normally distributed. In 1977 and 1978, no error terms 

are reported because “they can be misleading and (their use) is considered inappropriate for the data 

in this report” (Rockwell 1978, 1979). These latter two reports state that the sampling methods would 

result in “nonrandom variations in the measured concentrations”, and the “distribution ... would not be 

normal.” From 1979 to 1988, error terms are reported, but only by sampler location and not 

normalized to the site average. The error terms, when reported, are based on counting error alone, 

and thus represent the minimum error that can be associated with the measurements. Although 

counting error does contribute to data uncertainty, the uncertainty associated with a given average 

value for the site will also be a function of variability in environmental conditions as well as a function 

of both time and location. Thus, the reported confidence limits are not useful in estimating uncertainty

associated with a site average because they would undoubtedly underestimate that uncertainty.

4.4.2

Unquantifiable uncertainty in external exposures results from the lack of readily available data prior to 

1975 or after 1993. However, onsite measurements made during that 19-year period indicate no 

significant upward trend to indicate that plant operations are increasing background. Published data 

for environmental external measurements have normal statistics associated with them. The data 

published in Table 4-3 vary considerably in the expression of uncertainty presented in the annual 

environmental reports. For years prior to 1977, no uncertainty data are available. For other years, 

the uncertainty varies from as much as 23% (1σ) for 1981, to less than 2% for 1983. We recommend 

using the maximum uncertainty available in the literature, 23%, which is represented by 1981 data. 

The annual recommended values of uncertainty, expressed in terms of 1σ, are shown in fourth 

column of Table 4-3. 

Uncertainties in External Dose Estimate

Note: The values in Tables 4-1 and 4-2 represent the potential intake for a worker spending 2,000 

hours during the year outdoors on the site. The intake should be prorated for exposure times less 

than 2,000 hours in a particular year. Based on the values in Table 4-1, the 95th percentile intake due 

to the 1957 fire alone would have been 3.43 × 10+2 pCi.

Table 4-1. Annual inhalation intake of 239,240Pu for 1953 to 

1964, based on atmospheric modeling (aerodynamic 

equivalent diameter <15 μm; assume respirable).a 

Year

239,240Pu Intake (pCi/year)a

Average (50th

Percentile)

Maximum (95th

Percentile)

1953 6.56E-04 5.68E-03

1954 3.10E-03 2.14E-02

1955 2.89E-03 1.83E-02

1956 1.00E-02 6.01E-02

1957 3.33E+00 3.46E+02

1957 w/o fire 4.20E-01 3.21e+00

1958 1.74E-01 1.96E+00

1959 1.14E-01 1.09E+00

1960 8.24E-02 8.01E-01

1961 5.42E-02 4.65E-01

1962 9.69E-02 8.09E-01

1963 1.65E-01 1.14E+00

1964 6.02E-01 2.95E+00

a. Atmospheric modeling described in Attachment 4A.

b. A pCi is equivalent to 10-12 Ci.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 17 of 56

Table 4-2. Annual inhalation intake of 239,240Pu and 241Am (1965 to 2002), 

based on monitoring data (respirable fraction of sampled particles = 1.0) 

Year

Average 239,240Pu intake 

(pCi/yr)a

Maximum 

239,240Pu intake 

(pCi/yr)b

Average 241Am intake 

(pCi/yr)c

Maximum 

241Am intake 

(pCi/yr)d

1965 2.40E+00 1.20E+01 7.20E-01 3.60E+00

1966 7.20E+00 2.40E+01 2.16E+00 7.20E+00

1967 9.60E+00 8.64E+01 2.88E+00 2.59E+01

1968 1.92E+01 3.10E+02 5.76E+00 9.29E+01

1969 2.16E+01 1.32E+03 6.48E+00 3.95E+02

1970 4.80E+00 5.04E+01 1.44E+00 1.51E+01

1971 4.32E+00 2.35E+02 1.30E+00 7.06E+01

1972 5.04E+00 1.46E+02 1.51E+00 4.39E+01

1973 4.08E+01 3.70E+02 1.22E+01 1.11E+01

1974 1.46E+00 3.84E+01 4.39E-01 1.15E+01

1975 4.80E-01 1.51E+01 1.44E-01 4.54E+00

1976 4.56E-01 9.36E+00 1.37E-01 2.81E+00

1977 6.48E-01 6.72E+00 1.94E-01 2.02E+00

1978 6.00E-01 8.40E+00 1.80E-01 2.52E+00

1979 4.08E-01 3.84E+00 1.22E-01 1.15E+00

1980 3.60E-01 5.28E+00 1.08E-01 1.58E+00

1981 4.32E-01 4.80E+00 1.30E-01 1.44E+00

1982 6.24E-01 3.36E+00 1.87E-01 1.01E+00

1983 5.52E-01 3.12E+00 1.66E-01 9.36E-01

1984 6.24E-01 5.28E+00 1.87E-01 1.58E+00

1985 5.76E-01 3.12E+00 1.73E-01 9.36E-01

1986 6.24E-01 2.64E+00 1.87E-01 7.92E-01

1987 1.54E+00 1.01E+01 4.61E-01 3.02E+00

1988 1.15E+00 3.36E+00 3.46E-01 1.01E+00

1989 8.88E-01 6.24E+00 2.66E-01 1.87E+00

1990 1.73E-01 7.44E+00 5.18E-02 2.23E+00

1991 1.75E-01 7.68E+00 5.26E-02 2.30E+00

1992 2.38E-01 5.52E+00 7.13E-02 1.66E+00

1993 1.34E-01 2.04E+00 4.03E-02 6.12E-01

1994 1.37E-01 2.64E+00 4.10E-02 7.92E-01

1995 7.44E-02 7.68E-01 2.23E-02 2.30E-01

1996 1.85E-01 1.99E-01 5.55E-02 5.97E-02

1997 1.22E-01 1.01E+00 3.66E-02 3.03E-01

1998 1.92E-01 1.75E+00 5.76E-02 5.25E-01

1999e 1.54E+00 1.01E+01 4.61E-01 3.02E+00

2000e 1.54E+00 1.01E+01 4.61E-01 3.02E+00

2001e 1.54E+00 1.01E+01 4.61E-01 3.02E+00

2002e 1.54E+00 1.01E+01 4.61E-01 3.02E+00

a. Calculated from air concentration data in Table 4A-2.

b. Refers to maximum measurement averaged over samplers for a given month during 

the year.

c. Calculated by multiplying annual average 239,240Pu intake by 0.30 (see Section 4.2.3).

d. Calculated by multiplying maximum 239,240Pu intake for a given month by 0.30 (see 

Section 4.2.3).

e. Assumed higher values from 1987 in lieu of onsite data (perimeter monitoring 

information only available – see appendix 4A)
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 18 of 56

Table 4-3. Onsite TLD measurements for listed years

Year

Mrem per year N

Mean 2σ Recommended 

value (1σ)

before 1975 138 32

1975 111 40 26 87

1976 113 36 26 134

1977 128 32* 30 98

1978 131 36 30 126

1979 146 8.8 34 133

1980 158 8 35 131

1981 134 62 31 125

1982 123 2 28 120

1983 139 2 32 135

1984 146 8 34 142

1985 151 6 35 93

1986 137 4 32 147

1987 153 4 35 100

1988 154 6 36 109

1989 167 5 39 132

1990 154 4 36 143

1991 122 4 28 108

1992 121 3 28 176

1993 137 32 176

After 1993 138 32 32

Mean 1975 – 1993 138 32

2 S.D. (2σ) 32

* Because there was no value available for 1977, the 95% confidence limits (i.e. ± 2σ) were 

set equivalent to two standard deviations of the 19 annual means.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 19 of 56

REFERENCES

ChemRisk (ChemRisk, a division of McLaren/Hart), 1994a, Estimating Historical Emissions from 

Rocky Flats 1952–1989, Project Task 5 for Phase I, prepared for the Colorado Department of 

Public Health and Environment, Alameda, California, March.

ChemRisk (ChemRisk, a division of McLaren/Hart), 1994b, Dose Assessment for Historical 

Contaminant Releases from Rocky Flats, Project Task 8 for Phase I, prepared for the 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Alameda, California, September.

DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 1980. Final Environmental Impact Statement, Rocky Flats Plant 

Site, DOE/EIS-064. 

Dow (Dow Chemical U.S.A.), 1972, Annual Report: Environmental Safeguard ’71, January – 

December 1971, RFP-ENV-718, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado. 

Dow (Dow Chemical U.S.A.), 1973, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, 

January – December 1972, RFP-ENV-72, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow (Dow Chemical U.S.A.), 1974. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, 

January - December 1973, RFP-ENV-73, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow (Dow Chemical U.S.A.), 1975, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, 

January – December 1974, RFP-ENV-74, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow (Dow Chemical U.S.A.), 1976, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, 

January – December 1975, RFP-ENV-75, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G (EG&G Rocky Flats), 1989, Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1989, January 

through December 1989, RFP-ENV-89, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G (EG&G Rocky Flats), 1990, Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1990, January 

through December 1990, RFP-ENV-90, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G (EG&G Rocky Flats), 1991, Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1991, January 

through December 1991, RFP-ENV-91, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G (EG&G Rocky Flats), 1992, Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1992, January 

through December 1992, RFP-ENV-92, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G (EG&G Rocky Flats), 1993, Site Environmental Report for 1993, January through December 

1993, RFP-ENV-93, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection), 1975, Report of the Task Group on 

Reference Man, Publication 23, Elsevier Science, Inc., Tarrytown, New York.

ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection), 1996, Age-dependent Doses to 

Members of the Public from Intake of Radionuclides: Part 5. Compilation of Ingestion and 

Inhalation Dose Coefficients, Publication 72, Elsevier Science, Inc., Tarrytown, New York.

Kaiser-Hill (Kaiser-Hill Company, LLC), 1994, Site Environmental Report for 1994, RFP-ENV-94, 

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 20 of 56

Krey, P., E. Hardy, H. Volchok, L. Toonkel, R. Knuth, and M. Coppes. 1976. Plutonium and Americium 

Contamination in Rocky Flats Soil–1973. Report HASL-304. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, 

Health and Safety Laboratory, New York, New York.

Putzier, E. A., 1982, The Past 30 Years at Rocky Flats Plant, Rockwell International Energy Systems 

Group, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado, November.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1977, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1976, RFP-ENV-76, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1978, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1977, RFP-ENV-77, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1979, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1978, RFP-ENV-78, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1980, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1979, RFP-ENV-79, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1981, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1980, RFP-ENV-80, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1982, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1981, RFP-ENV-81, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1983, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1982, RFP-ENV-82, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1984, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1983, RFP-ENV-83, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1985, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1984, RFP-ENV-84, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1986, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1985, RFP-ENV-85, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1987, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1986, RFP-ENV-86, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1988, Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – 

December 1987, RFP-ENV-87, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell (Rockwell International), 1989, Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1988, 

January through December 1988, RFP-ENV-88, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rope, S. K, K. R. Meyer, M. J. Case, H. A. Grogan, D. W. Schmidt, M. Dreicer, and T. F. Winsor, 

1999, Evaluation of Environmental Data for Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky 

Flats, Task 4: Evaluation of Environmental Data, Final Report, Revision 1, RAC Report 1-

CDPHE-RFP-1997-Final (Rev. 1), Radiological Assessments Corporation, Neeses, South 

Carolina, August.
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Rood, A. S., and H. A. Grogan, 1999, Comprehensive Assessment of Exposure and Lifetime Cancer 

Incidence Risk from Plutonium Released from the Rocky Flats Plant, 1953-1989, RAC Report 

13-CDPHE-RFP-1999-Final, Radiological Assessments Corporation, Neeses, South Carolina, 

September.

Voillequé, P. G., 1999a, Estimated Airborne Releases of Plutonium During the 1957 Fire in Building 

71, RAC Report 10-CDPHE-RFP-1999-FINAL, Radiological Assessments Corporation,

Neeses, South Carolina, August.

Voillequé, P. G., 1999b, Estimated Airborne Releases of Plutonium During the 1969 Fire in Buildings 

776/777, RAC Report 9-CDPHE-RFP-1999-FINAL, Radiological Assessments Corporation,

Neeses, South Carolina, August.

Voillequé, P. G. 1999c. Review of Routine Releases of Plutonium in Airborne Effluents at Rocky Flats.

RAC Report 6-CDPHE-RFP-1997-FINAL, Radiological Assessments Corporation, Neeses, 

South Carolina, August.

Weber, J. M., A. S. Rood, H. R. Meyer, and J. E. Till, 1999, Development of the Rocky Flats Plant 903 

Area Plutonium Source Term, RAC Report 8-CDPHE-RFP-1998-FINAL(Rev.1), Radiological 

Assessments Corporation, Neeses, South Carolina, August.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 22 of 56

GLOSSARY

alpha particles

Positively charged particles of discrete energies emitted by certain radioactive 

materials; alpha particles usually expend their energy in short distances and will not 

usually penetrate the outer layer of skin; they are a significant hazard only when taken 

into the body where their energy is absorbed by tissues.

beta dose

A designation (i.e., beta) on some external dose records referring to the dose from 

less-energetic beta, X-ray and/or gamma radiation (SEE ALSO open window, or 

shallow dose). 

beta radiation

Radiation consisting of charged particles of very small mass (i.e., the electron) emitted 

spontaneously from the nuclei of certain radioactive elements. Most (if not all) of the 

direct fission products emit beta radiation. Physically, the beta particle is identical to 

an electron moving at high velocity.

curie

A special unit of activity. One curie equals 3.7 x 1010 nuclear transitions per second.

dosimeter

A device used to measure the quantity of radiation received. A holder with radiationabsorbing elements (filters) and an insert with radiation-sensitive elements packaged 

to provide a record of absorbed dose or dose equivalent received by an individual. 

(SEE albedo dosimeter, film dosimeter, neutron film dosimeter, thermoluminescent 

dosimeter.)

dosimetry

The science of assessing absorbed dose, dose equivalent, effective dose equivalent, 

etc., from external or internal sources of radiation. 

dosimetry system

A system used to assess dose equivalent from external radiation to the whole body, 

skin, or extremities. This includes the fabrication, assignment, and processing of 

dosimeters as well as interpretation and documentation of the results.

exposure 

As used in the technical sense, exposure refers to a measure expressed in roentgens 

(R) of the ionization produced by photons (i.e., gamma and X-rays) in air. 

film

In general, a "film packet" that contains one or more pieces of film in a light-tight 

wrapping. When developed, the film has an image caused by radiation that can be 

measured using an optical densitometer.

film dosimeter

A small packet of film within a holder that attaches to a wearer.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 23 of 56

fission

The splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus, accompanied by the release of energy.

fissionable

Material capable of undergoing fission.

gamma rays

Electromagnetic radiation (photons) originating in atomic nuclei and accompanying 

many nuclear reactions (e.g., fission, radioactive decay, and neutron capture). 

Physically, gamma rays are identical to X-rays of high energy, the only essential 

difference being that X-rays do not originate in the nucleus. 

HEU 

Highly enriched uranium

isotope

Elements having the same atomic number but different atomic weights; identical 

chemically but having different physical and nuclear properties

neutron

A basic particle that is electrically neutral weighing nearly the same as the hydrogen 

atom.

neutron film dosimeter

A film dosimeter that contains a Neutron Track Emulsion, type A, film packet.

operating area

Designation of major onsite operational work areas.

radiation

Alpha, beta, neutron, and photon radiation. 

radioactivity

The spontaneous emission of radiation, generally alpha or beta particles, gamma rays, 

and neutrons from unstable nuclei.

radionuclide

A radioactive isotope of an element, distinguished by atomic number, atomic weight, 

and energy state

rem

A unit of dose equivalent equal to the product of the number of rad absorbed and the 

quality factor.

thermoluminescence

Property of a material that causes it to emit light as a result of being excited by heat.

thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)

A holder containing solid chips of material that when heated will release stored energy 

as light. The measurement of this light provides a measurement of absorbed dose. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 24 of 56

ATTACHMENT 4A. 

ESTIMATION OF PLUTONIUM AIR CONCENTRATIONS 

AT THE ROCKY FLATS PLANT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A.1 Measurement of Total Long-Lived Alpha Activity and Plutonium in Air...................................... 25

A.2 Atmospheric Transport Modeling .............................................................................................. 27

References ........................................................................................................................................31

LIST OF TABLES

Table

4A-1 Monthly average concentrations (fCi m–3) of total long-lived alpha 

activity in onsite air samples between October 1964 and December 

1971................................................................................................................................. 

Page

42

4A-2 Estimated annual average concentrations (fCi m–3) of 239,240Pu in 

onsite air samples between 1965 and 1994 based on measurement 

data provided in Table 4-A-1 and RFP annual environmental reports............................... 44

4A-3 Annual average concentrations (fCi m–3) of plutonium in air for three 

location groups, Rocky Flats contractor monitoring (1971–1990) ..................................... 45

4A-4 Data from Table III-4 in Rope et al. 1999 showing a comparison of 

plutonium-239,240 concentrations (fCi m–3) in onsite and offsite air, 

measured by the Colorado Department of Health............................................................. 46

4A-5 Data from Table B-14 in Rope et al. (1999) showing annual average 

concentrations (fCi m–3) of 239,240Pu in Denver air, 1971–1989.......................................... 47

4A-6 Corrected annual average concentrations of 239,240Pu in air at 

perimeter monitoring stations ........................................................................................... 48

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

4A-1 Location of samplers operated by the Rocky Flats contractor...........................................

Page

35

4A-2 Location of onsite computational nodes used to predict average on-site air 

concentrations for the RFP Industrial Area ....................................................................... 36

4A-3 Annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time for 

particles < 30 μm Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter (AED) in the Rocky Flats 

Plant industrial area.......................................................................................................... 37

4A-4 Annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time for 

particles < 30 μm Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter (AED) in the perimeter 

area surrounding the Rocky Flats Plant............................................................................ 38

4A-5 Location of offsite air samplers in 1975 ............................................................................ 39

4A-6 Map of eastern part of Rocky Flats industrial area, showing locations of 

Colorado Department of Health air monitoring stations D-1 through D-5 .......................... 40

4A-7 Location of the computational nodes used to compute annual average 

perimeter concentrations illustrated in Figure 4-A-6 .......................................................... 41
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 25 of 56

ATTACHMENT 4A. ESTIMATION OF PLUTONIUM AIR

CONCENTRATIONS AT THE ROCKY FLATS PLANT

Occupational environmental dose reconstruction for the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) requires that 239,240Pu 

air concentrations be estimated for onsite locations as a function of time. Actual measurements of 

239,240Pu in air for the RFP onsite environment are generally preferable to modeled concentrations, 

because modeling relies on measurements of parameters related to source terms and meteorology 

that are often spatially and temporally averaged, thus adding considerable uncertainty to estimates for 

particular locations or points in time. Further, models often cannot address all the processes or 

source terms that affect the air concentration. However, there are periods in the RFP operational 

history when useful measurements of 239,240Pu in air are not available. This attachment describes the 

availability of monitoring data and modeled estimates and addresses the suitability of each type of 

estimate for use in occupational dose reconstruction for particular historical time periods. In addition, 

it provides the technical basis of atmospheric transport calculations supporting the estimated 239,240Pu 

intakes. 

A.1 MEASUREMENT OF TOTAL LONG-LIVED ALPHA ACTIVITY AND PLUTONIUM IN AIR

Task 4 of the Phase II Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats (Rope et al. 1999) contains 

an in-depth historical review and compilation of RFP air monitoring data. This attachment relies on

conclusions from that review to determine the usefulness of onsite air monitoring data in estimating 

239,240Pu intake from environmental (outdoor) exposures. 

According to Rope et al. (1999), 239,240Pu concentrations in air were not measured at RFP until 1969, 

when the Colorado Department of Health began reporting onsite air concentrations. Between the 

start of operations in 1952 and 1969, gross alpha activity in air was measured by the RFP contractor, 

but earlier data during this period (up to 1964) were considered by Rope et al. (1999, pp. III-33-34) to 

be of limited value for assessing concentrations of long-lived alpha-emitters such as 239,240Pu. Prior to 

1960, measurements were not made in a way that enabled estimation of the long-lived alpha 

component of the gross alpha measurements. Thus, there is no reliable way to estimate 239,240Pu in 

air prior to 1960 from air monitoring data. From 1960 to 1964, counts of gross alpha activity were 

made near the time of collection (4 hours after) and 1 week later, such that Total Long-Lived alpha 

(TTLα) activity concentrations could be estimated. Estimates of 239,240Pu concentrations can be made 

from TTLα activity concentrations in a manner described later in this attachment. However, data 

collected between 1960 and 1964 was of limited value to the Task 4 studies because they were 

reported as one onsite number, with the maximum and minimum individual count values shown. 

Results from individual samplers could not be obtained. Thus, data before 1964 were not suitable or 

readily available for this TBD. Due to these inadequacies in monitoring data during the period 

between 1952 and 1964, this attachment relied on atmospheric dispersion modeling conducted for the 

Phase II study for developing estimates of 239,240Pu concentrations in onsite air. Section 4A.2

describes the Phase II model and application for the present purposes. 

From October 1964 until December 1971, the RFP contractor reported daily TTLα activity 

concentrations in air for individual onsite samplers (Rope et al. 1999, p. III-34). The samplers 

included S-1 through S-10, S-50, and S-51. The locations of the onsite samplers during this period 

are shown in the upper “1974” drawing in Figure 4A-1 (reproduced from Figure B-6 in Rope et al. 

1999). Monthly average concentrations derived from these measurements, in fCi m-3 (10-15 Ci m-3), 

are reproduced from Table B-6 in Rope et al. in Table 4A-1.

In 1969, the Colorado Department of Health (CDH), now called the Colorado Department of Public 

Health and Environment, began monitoring 239,240Pu in air at the RFP (Rope et al. 1999, p. III-21) near 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 26 of 56

the east security fence. Rope et al. (1999, p. III-23) used data from the CDH air monitoring stations to 

evaluate the predicted impact of contaminated soil after placement of the asphalt pad in the 903 Area. 

These measurements complement the air monitoring conducted by the RFP contractor and the Health 

and Safety Laboratory (HASL), which began monitoring air in the same vicinity (on the east security 

fence downwind of the 903 Area) in 1970 (Rope et al. 1999, p. III-12).

In 1970, the Rocky Flats environmental monitoring program began to include routine monitoring of 

239,240Pu in air (Rope et al., 1999, p III-63). However, results for 239,240Pu, rather than TTLα, were not 

reported in RFP annual environmental reports until 1973 (Dow 1972 through 1975; Rockwell 1976 

through 1989; EG&G 1989 through 1993; Kaiser-Hill 1994). Table 4A-2 lists annual air 

concentrations, averaged over the various onsite samplers and compiled from annual environmental 

reports through 1994 and the monthly data in Table 4A-1, along with the maximum onsite monthly 

measurement corresponding to that year. The units have been converted to fCi m-3 for consistency 

with Table 4A-1. Sampling locations are specified, and can be visualized from Figure 4A-1. The 

samplers were renumbered in 1975, as indicated in this figure. The annual average was not provided 

in the annual report for 1977 to 1988, but was calculated from the monthly volume-weighted averages 

for each sampling location. Beginning in 1977, measurements were not reported for all samplers, but 

for sampling stations with the greatest potential for elevated airborne radioactivity. Thus, results after 

1976 are not as representative of an average for the RFP industrial area, but for the onsite areas 

likely to be highest in concentrations of 239,240Pu in air.

To estimate the 239,240Pu air concentration based on TTLα activity concentration for data from 1965 to 

1973 in Table 4A-2, a conversion factor was adopted from the review of available information on this 

topic provided in Rope et al. (1999, beginning on p. III-42). Rope et al. evaluated data collected in the 

early 1970s, and derived a least squares best fit to the data result of 36% plutonium contribution to 

the TLLα. Therefore, a conversion factor of 0.36 was assumed for converting TTLα activity 

concentrations from the annual environmental reports to 239,240Pu activity concentrations. 

The annual environmental reports (Dow 1972 through 1975; Rockwell 1976 through 1989; EG&G 

1989 through 1993; Kaiser-Hill 1994) provide 95% confidence limits for the average annual 239,240Pu 

air concentration for RFP for 1972 to 1976 and 1989 to 1994. For these years, the standard deviation 

was reported as the 95% confidence limits, assuming the measurements were normally distributed. 

In 1977 and 1978, no standard deviations were reported because “they can be misleading and (their 

use) is considered inappropriate for the data in this report” (Rockwell 1978, 1979). These latter two 

reports state that the sampling methods would result in “nonrandom variations in the measured 

concentrations,” and the “distribution ... would not be normal.” Standard deviations are reported for 

1979 to 1988, but only by sampler location, and not normalized to the site average. The confidence 

limits, when reported, are based on counting error alone, and thus represent the minimum error that 

can be associated with the measurements. Although counting error does contribute to uncertainty in 

the data, the uncertainty associated with a given average value for the site will also be a function of 

variability in environmental conditions as a function of time and location. Thus, the reported 

confidence limits are not useful for estimating uncertainty associated with a site average because they 

would undoubtedly underestimate that uncertainty.

Annual environmental reports were discontinued after 1994 as a result of the change in the RFP 

mission, so sitewide measurements of 239,240Pu in air after 1994 are not as readily accessible. 

Between 1995 and July 1998, onsite ambient air concentrations of 239,240Pu are reported in Rocky 

Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) Monthly and Quarterly Monitoring Reports (EG&G 

1995, RMRS 1995a,b; RFETS 1996a-d; RFETS1997a-d; and RFETS1998a-c). In 1995, an onsite 

average air concentration can be calculated from the reported data for approximately 20 sampling 

locations, and a maximum corresponding to the sampler at the location of highest concentration is 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 27 of 56

also readily obtained. From 1996 to July 1998, air concentrations for only two samplers are reported, 

those samplers being located at the point of highest air concentration based on monitoring in recent 

years. Thus, the air concentrations reported for those years tend to be more representative of 

maximum concentrations rather than site-wide averages. Annual average air concentrations, 

averaged over all sampling locations, were calculated for 1995 through July of 1998, and provided in 

Table 4A-2. Maximum concentrations in Table 4A-2 correspond to the highest quarterly concentration 

for any given sampler. 

For the period from August 1998 to the present, onsite air concentrations are no longer reported 

directly in the Quarterly Reports (RFETS 1999a-d, 2000a-c, 2001a-c, 2002a-c, 2003a,b). Rather, the

calculated percent of the 10 mrem/y NESHAPs (40 CFR 61) annual average effective dose limit 

corresponding to measurements made at RFP perimeter monitoring stations are reported. For 1999 

through 2002, the estimated percent of the 10 mrem/y dose rate realized at these locations is reported 

as less than 0.3% for radionuclides other than 234U and 238U. The contributions of uranium isotopes 

were subtracted from the calculated dose rates since the majority of the observed uranium appears to 

be due to natural soil contributions (RFETS 2003b). Thus, the annual average effective dose rate 

estimated at the perimeter locations is 0.03 mrem/year. This can be converted to a 239,240Pu air 

concentration, by assuming an effective dose factor, a breathing rate, and a fractional contribution to 

the dose by various radionuclides. For the purposes of this report, the following claimant-favorable 

assumptions are made: All of the dose arises from 239,240Pu and 241Am; 70% of the calculated dose 

rate is due to plutonium; and 30% of the calculated dose rate is due to 241Am. Thus, the dose rate 

attributable to plutonium is estimated to be 0.023 mrem/year, and to 241Am is estimated to be 0.007 

mrem/year. Assuming the NESHAPs dose rate calculation was done by RFETS with a 2400 m3

/y

inhalation rate, and effective dose rates of 1.16e-4 Sv/Bq (for 239,240Pu) and 1.20e-4 Sv/Bq (for 241Am), 

from EPA’s Federal Guidance Report 11 (EPA, 19**), air concentrations can be calculated that 

correspond to the perimeter dose rates. These are concentrations are given as annual average 

values in Table 4A-2, with no corresponding maximum values available (i.e., NA).

Beginning in the last quarter of 2001, performance monitoring was begun to monitor specific 

demolition and remediation activities. Onsite monitoring is done and evaluated under these 

circumstances. However, only gross alpha activity is reported in readily-available reports, making it 

difficult to estimate the fraction of that due to the plutonium and americium isotopes of concern here. 

The CDH and RFP contractor continue to monitor air around the RFP periphery and onsite. Although 

not readily available for this report, it may be possible to acquire more of this information upon specific 

request.

A.2 ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT MODELING

The atmospheric transport modeling results used to develop estimates of 239,240Pu intake by workers 

between 1953 and 1964 relied on application of a model developed for the offsite risk assessment

(Rood and Grogan 1999). Application of this model for onsite predictions was not the original intent, 

so simulated concentrations are likely to be less reliable than measured concentrations for estimates 

of 239,240Pu intake. The application of this model for the Phase II Historical Public Exposures Studies 

focused on offsite rather than onsite concentrations, which are of interest here. Thus, the model did 

not incorporate building wake effects in predicting air concentrations. Rood and Grogan (1999) 

described atmospheric transport modeling as follows: 

Atmospheric transport modeling performed in the Phase II studies used the Regional 

Atmospheric Transport Code for Hanford Environmental Tracking (RATCHET) model (Ramsdell 

et al. 1994). Selection of RATCHET was based on a model comparison study performed for 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 28 of 56

Phase II (Rood 1999b). In this study, five models, ranging in complexity from a simple straightline Gaussian plume model (Industrial Source Complex Short Term Version 2 [EPA 1992]) to a 

complex terrain model (Terrain-Responsive Atmospheric Code [Hodgin 1991]), were compared 

to tracer measurements taken during the 1991 Winter Validation Tracer Study (Brown 1991). 

The results of this evaluation indicated no one model clearly outperformed the others. 

However, the puff trajectory models (RATCHET, TRIAD [Hicks et al. 1989], and INPUFF2 

[Petersen and Lavdas 1986]) generally had lower variability and higher correlation to observed 

values compared to the other models. The RATCHET model was chosen for these calculations 

because it incorporates spatially varying meteorological and environmental parameters. 

Additionally, the model includes modules that perform random sampling of the meteorological 

parameters, allowing for Monte Carlo analysis of uncertainty. 

Atmospheric transport simulations were performed differently for discrete and continuous 

events. For discrete events (Rood and Grogan 1999a, 1999b, 1999c), meteorological data for 

the specific days of the event were available. RATCHET was run using its Monte Carlo 

sampling features that sampled from distributions of basic transport parameters for each Monte 

Carlo trial. Transport parameters that were considered stochastically included wind speed, wind 

direction, mixing height, precipitation, and Monin-Obukhov scaling length. Uncertainty in the 

source term was also included in the simulation. Output consisted of n realizations of timeintegrated concentration (TIC) and deposition at each of the 2295 computational nodes in the 

model domain (Figure 3). 

Continuous events were modeled somewhat differently. Meteorological data from Rocky Flats 

for most of the assessment period were lacking. Therefore, we relied on a technique often used 

in prospective analysis and in retrospective analysis when historical records are lacking. This 

technique uses compilations of recently acquired meteorological data as a surrogate for past or 

future conditions and typically only applies to assessments of long-term (>1 year) dispersion 

conditions. We employed this technique for estimating annual average plutonium 

concentrations from routine releases and continuous 903 Area suspension releases (Rood 

1999a; Rood and Grogan 1999b) using a 5-year data set from 1989 to 1993. Uncertainty was 

represented using several multiplicative correction factors that accounted for uncertainty in the 

dispersion process, meteorology, and deposition-plume depletion. 

The model domain (Figure 3) encompasses a 2200 km2 area (50 km north-south × 44 km eastwest). The domain extends 28 km south, 12 km west, 22 km north, and 32 km east from the 

RFP. Most of the Denver metropolitan area and the city of Boulder are included in the domain.

The domain was limited in its western extent because few receptors were present there during 

the RFP operations (ChemRisk 1994e) and most of the contaminant plumes traveled east and 

southeast of the plant.

Figure 3 from Rood and Grogan (1999) is not reproduced here because of the irrelevance of much of 

the model domain to the present study. Rather, Figure 4A-2 shows the model domain of relevance, 

which is the RFP industrial area. There are six nodes in the industrial area, providing the ability to 

estimate six different air concentrations for these regions. 

Discrete events in the Phase II studies were defined as those that led to releases of plutonium, which 

occurred over a relatively short period, and included releases from glovebox fires in 1957 and 1969, 

and suspension of plutonium-contaminated soil from the 903 Area during unusually high wind events 

in 1968 and 1969. Continuous releases included “routine” releases from the Building 771 stack and 

Building 776 roof vents, and suspension of 239,240Pu -contaminated soil from the 903 Area from 1964 

to 1969, before the asphalt pad was in place, but not including identified high wind events. 

Resuspension of 239,240Pu deposited on soil from 903 Area suspension releases was included in the 

comprehensive evaluation of exposure to 239,240Pu released from RFP (Rood and Grogan 1999). A 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 29 of 56

time-dependent factor approach was used to address the resuspension of soil contaminated by 

released 239,240Pu and deposited as a result of the continuous and discrete events. Rood and Grogan 

(1999, p. 17) describe the source term characterization. 

Aerodynamic diameter of 239,240Pu particles released is important in predicting dispersion and 

deposition; and ultimately in estimating the respirable fraction of the 239,240Pu in air. The source terms 

characterized for the Phase II studies considered potential size distributions, and the predictive 

modeling addressed differential dispersion and deposition according to particle size. Thus, results of 

the modeling enabled prediction of the 239,240Pu concentration in air associated with respirable 

particles.

Comparisons of model output for the RFP onsite and perimeter regions to air monitoring data from 

onsite and perimeter samplers, respectively, were made to determine the adequacy of the predictive 

results in representing concentrations to which RFP workers might have been exposed. Figure 4A-3 

plots the annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time in the RFP industrial area 

from 1953 to 1990. Model-predicted concentrations represent the average of the six onsite 

computational nodes shown in Figure 4A-2, and are for particles less than 30-μm Aerodynamic 

Equivalent Diameter (AED). Figure 4A-4 plots annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a 

function of time for the perimeter area of the plant from 1953 through 1989. For perimeter locations, 

model-predicted concentrations represent the average of 27 computational nodes, shown in Figure 

4A-5. The 5th-, 50th-, and 95th-percentile concentrations for 500 realizations for each of these model 

applications are shown for the period from 1953 to 1989. 

Measured data shown in Figure 4A-3 represent the average concentrations across the onsite

samplers listed in the legend. Samplers S-1 through S-10, S-50, and S-51 were maintained by an 

RFP contractor throughout the period of interest. The annual average TLLα data from 1965 through 

1972, calculated from the data in Table 4A-1, were converted to 239,240Pu concentrations for 

comparison to the model predictions. A conversion factor of 0.36 (0.36 Ci 239,240Pu per Ci TLLα) 

reported in Figure III-23 in Rope et al. (1999) was used. Average concentrations from samplers S-5 

thru S-9 were obtained from Table B-10 in Rope et al. (1999), which is reproduced in Table 4A-3. The 

onsite values in this table tend to be slightly higher than the averages in Table 4A-2 because they are 

restricted to samplers S-5 through S-9 only for all years. Figure 4A-3 also plots the arithmetic 

average of measurements obtained by CDH samplers D-3, D-4, and AP-56, located at the eastern 

security fence of the RFP (Figure 4A-6). The data from which averages were derived for these CDH 

samplers are listed in Table 4A-4, which was reproduced from Table III-4 in Rope et al. (1999).

From Figure 4A-3, it is clear that the modeled 50th-percentile concentrations can underpredict the 

measured concentrations, especially after about 1970. Before 1970, agreement between model 

predictions and measured concentrations is fairly good. One possible explanation for underprediction 

that does not necessarily render modeling as an underprediction of 239,240Pu intake at RFP is that 

reported 239,240Pu concentrations are often at locations of expected elevated concentrations, while the 

modeled concentrations are averages for the entire site. After 1970, the main source of plutonium to 

onsite air was resuspension of contaminated soil (Rood and Grogan 1999, p. 57); thus, one would 

expect air concentrations in the area of highest soil plutonium (downwind of the 903 Area) to be 

higher than the site average. Because the measured data predominantly arose from that area 

(samplers S-5 through S-9), it is likely that measured concentrations would exceed the site average. 

It is not necessarily likely, however, that an exposed individual would spend a significant amount of 

time in an area of higher 239,240Pu concentration in air. Thus, the model might be a more reasonable 

predictor of average dose for an individual exposed to average concentrations across the site, rather 

than in the areas of higher 239,240Pu concentration.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 30 of 56

Other reasons predicted concentrations might deviate from measured onsite concentrations include 

the influence of building wakes, which can increase or decrease concentrations in the proximity of 

buildings. Further, it is possible, and likely, that modeled concentrations do not include potential 

sources that might have been important to onsite exposures. 

Measured data shown in Figure 4A-4 for the perimeter concentrations were obtained from the 1971 

through 1990 annual environmental reports prepared by RFP contractors and represent average 

concentrations from RFP contractor perimeter samplers, shown in Figure 4A-5 as triangular symbols. 

These data were corrected for contributions from background 239,240Pu, because the measured values 

are low enough that fallout concentrations can contribute a significant portion of the total 

measurement. Yearly measurements of 239,240Pu in air in Denver (Rope et al. 1999, Table B-14, 

reproduced in Table 4A-5) were assumed to be representative of RFP background levels. These 

levels were subtracted from the perimeter measurements in Table 4A-3 to obtain the average net 

perimeter 239,240Pu concentrations listed in Table 4A-6 and plotted in Figure 4A-4. From Figure 4A-4, it 

is clear that the model predictions and measured concentrations are in good agreement for these 

perimeter locations.

The results of these comparisons of model predictions with measured 239,240Pu concentrations support

the following conclusions. Onsite application of the atmospheric dispersion model developed for the 

Phase II historical offsite exposure studies must be done with caution. Predicted average onsite 

concentrations might not adequately represent actual concentrations of interest, due to the large 

spatial variation in soil and, thus air, contamination at the site. While it is desirable to use measured 

concentrations from the many air samplers across the site to derive average and maximum values, 

some of the historical data to support this are not readily available or of sufficient quality. Therefore, it 

is reasonable, especially prior to 1970, to use the Phase II model application for estimating onsite 

average concentrations in lieu of measurement data. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 31 of 56

REFERENCES

40 CFR 61. National Emission Standards for Emissions of Radionuclides Other than Radon from 

Department of Energy Facilities, Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart H.

Dow Chemical U.S.A. 1972. Annual Report: Environmental Safeguard ’71, January – December 

1971, RFP-ENV-718, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow Chemical U.S.A. 1973. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, January – 

December 1972, RFP-ENV-72, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow Chemical U.S.A. 1974. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, January - 

December 1973, RFP-ENV-73, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow Chemical U.S.A. 1975. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, January – 

December 1974, RFP-ENV-74, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado.

Dow Chemical U.S.A. 1976. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, Rocky Flats Plant, January – 

December 1975, RFP-ENV-75, Rocky Flats Division, Golden, Colorado. 

EG&G Rocky Flats. 1989. Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1989, January through 

December 1989, RFP-ENV-89, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G Rocky Flats. 1990. Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1990, January through 

December 1990, RFP-ENV-90, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G Rocky Flats. 1991. Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1991, January through 

December 1991, RFP-ENV-91, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G Rocky Flats. 1992. Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1992, January through 

December 1992, RFP-ENV-92, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

EG&G Rocky Flats. 1993. Site Environmental Report for 1993, January through December 1993, 

RFP-ENV-93, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado. 

EG&G Rocky Flats. 1995. Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report , April 1995, ER-4180110-222, 

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado. 

EPA. 1988. Limiting Values of Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion 

Factors for Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion, Federal Guidance Report No. 11, EPA5201/1-88-020, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

ICRP. 1994. ICRP Publication 66: Human Respiratory Tract Model for Radiological Protection, 

Annals of the ICRP Vol 24/1-3, International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Kaiser-Hill Company, LLC. 1994. Site Environmental Report for 1994, RFP-ENV-94, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1996a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January – March 1996, RF/ER-96-

0023.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 32 of 56

RFETS. 1996b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, April – June 1996, RF/ER-96-0045.UN, 

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1996c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, July – September 1996, RF/RMRS-96-

0063, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1996d. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, October – December 1996, RF/RMRS97-005, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1997a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 1997, RF/RMRS-97-

027, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1997b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, April - June 1997, RF/RMRS-97-050, 

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1997c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, July - September 1997, RF/RMRS-97-

114.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1997d. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, October - December 1997, RF/RMRS98-216.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1998a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 1998, RF/RMRS98243.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1998b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, April - June 1998, RF/RMRS-98243.UN, 

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1998c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, July - September 1998, RF/RMRS98287.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1999a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, October - December 1998, RF/RMRS99-329.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1999b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 1999, RF/RMRS-99-

375.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1999c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, April - June 1999, RF/RMRS-99-421.UN, 

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 1999d. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, July - September 1999, RF/RMRS-99-

465.UN, Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado.

RFETS. 2000a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 2000, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2000b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, April - June 2000, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.
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RFETS. 2000c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, July - September 2000, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2001a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, October - December 2000, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2001b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 2001, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2001c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, April - June 2001, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2002a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, October - December 2001, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2002b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 2002, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2002c. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, July - September 2002, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2003a. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, October - December 2002, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

RFETS. 2003b. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report, January - March 2003, Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site, US Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Golden, 

Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1977. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1976, 

RFP-ENV-76, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1978. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1977, 

RFP-ENV-77, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1979. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1978, 

RFP-ENV-78, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1980. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1979, 

RFP-ENV-79, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1981. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1980, 

RFP-ENV-80, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 34 of 56

Rockwell International. 1982. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1981, 

RFP-ENV-81, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1983. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1982, 

RFP-ENV-82, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1984. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1983, 

RFP-ENV-83, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1985. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1984, 

RFP-ENV-84, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1986. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1985, 

RFP-ENV-85, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1987. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1986, 

RFP-ENV-86, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1988. Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, January – December 1987, 

RFP-ENV-87, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rockwell International. 1989. Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1988, January through 

December 1988, RFP-ENV-88, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado.

Rope, S. K, K. R. Meyer, M. J. Case, H. A. Grogan, D. W. Schmidt, M. Dreicer, and T. F. Winsor, 

Evaluation of Environmental Data for Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats, 

Task 4: Evaluation of Environmental Data, Final Report, Revision 1, RAC Report no. 1-

CDPHE-RFP-1997-Final (Rev. 1), Radiological Assessments Corporation, Neeses, South 

Carolina, August.

Rood, A. S. and H. A. Grogan, Comprehensive Assessment of Exposure and Lifetime Cancer 

Incidence Risk from Plutonium Released from the Rocky Flats Plant, 1953-1989, RAC Report 

no. 13-CDPHE-RFP-1999-Final, Radiological Assessments Corporation, Neeses, South 

Carolina, September.

RMRS. 1995a. Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report , August 1995, RF/ER-95-0106-UN, 

Prepared by Rocky Mountain Remediation Services, L.L.C., Rocky Flats Environmental 

Technology Site, Golden, Colorado. 

RMRS. 1995b. Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report, October 1995, RF/ER-95-0107-UN, 

Prepared by Rocky Mountain Remediation Services, L.L.C., Rocky Flats Environmental 

Technology Site, Golden, Colorado. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 35 of 56

1974

1975

Figure 4A-1. Locations of samplers operated by RFP contractor. In 

1975, samplers were renumbered and new samplers were added. 

(Reproduced from Rope et al. 1999, Figure B-6).
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 36 of 56

479000 479500 480000 480500 481000 481500 482000 482500 483000 483500 484000 484500 485000 485500 486000

UTM Coordinate East (m)

4413000

4413500

4414000

4414500

4415000

4415500

4416000

4416500

4417000

4417500

4418000

4418500

UTM Coordinate North (m)

N

W E

S

128

Buffer zone boundary

Plant exclusion boundary

Woman Creek

North Walnut Creek

Industrial Area

Figure 4A-2. Location of onsite (industrial area) computational nodes (blue circles) used to predict 

average onsite air concentrations for RFP Industrial Area.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 37 of 56

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

Year

1.0x10-5

1.0x10-4

1.0x10-3

1.0x10-2

1.0x10-1

1.0x100

1.0x101

1.0x102

1.0x103

Annual Average 239,240Pu Concentration 

in Air for Particles < 30 

μm (fCi m-3)

Modeled 95th percentile

Modeled 50th percentile

Modeled 5th percentile

Average of S-1 thru S-10, S-50, and S-51 TLLa converted to 239,240Pu

Average of D-3, D-4 and AP-56

Average of S-5 - S-9

Figure 4A-3. Annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time for particles < 30 μm 

Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter (AED) in RFP industrial area. (Model-predicted concentrations 

represent the average of six onsite computational nodes as shown in Figure 4A-3 using the model 

described in Rood and Grogan (1999).)
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 38 of 56

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

Year

1.0x10-4

1.0x10-3

1.0x10-2

1.0x10-1

1.0x100

1.0x101

1.0x102

1.0x103

Annual Average 239,240Pu Concentration 

in Air for Particles < 30 

μm (fCi m-3)

Modeled 95th percentile

Modeled 50th percentile

Modeled 5th percentile

Average of Perimeter Stations - Background

Figure 4A-4. Annual average 239,240Pu concentrations in air as a function of time for particles < 30 μm 

Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter (AED) in the perimeter area surrounding RFP. (Model-predicted 

concentrations represent the average of 27 computational nodes as shown in Figure 4A-7 using the 

model described in Rood and Grogan (1999).) 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 39 of 56

Figure 4A-5. Locations of offsite air samplers in 1975 (Figure B-4 from Rope et al., 1999).
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 40 of 56

 Figure 4A-6. Eastern part of RFP industrial area, showing locations of CDH air monitoring 

stations D-1 through D-5. Sampler AP-56 is believed to be north of Central Avenue near the 

security fence. (Reproduced from Figure III-13 of Rope et al. (1999).)
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 41 of 56

479000 479500 480000 480500 481000 481500 482000 482500 483000 483500 484000 484500 485000 485500 486000

UTM Coordinate East (m)

4413000

4413500

4414000

4414500

4415000

4415500

4416000

4416500

4417000

4417500

4418000

4418500

UTM Coordinate North (m)

N

W E

S

128

Buffer zone boundary

Plant exclusion boundary

Woman Creek

North Walnut Creek

Industrial Area

Figure 4A-7. Locations of computational nodes (blue squares) used to compute annual average 

perimeter concentrations shown in Figure 4A-6. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 42 of 56

Table 4A-1. Monthly average concentrations (fCi m–3) of total long-lived alpha 

activity in onsite air samples between October 1964 and December 1971

(reproduced from Table B-6 in Rope et al. (1999); reconstructed from daily 

measurements).

S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-50 S-51

Oct-64 2 6 2 4 4 3 3 11 6 4

Nov-64 1 2 6 1 2 2 2 16 3 2

Dec-64 2 3 4 2 7 4 3 79 4 3

Jan-65 2 2 11 3 7 2 2 8 3 2

Feb-65 3 2 2 4 4 4 3 4 2 3

Mar-65 5 3 3 5 3 5 2 2 3 3

Apr-65 5 3 2 2 2 3 3 5 2 2

May-65 3 13 1 3 4 5 3 4 2 3

Jun-65 4 2 2 2 4 5 2 8 2 2

Jul-65 4 2 2 2 3 6 2 9 1 3

Aug-65 4 1 2 3 3 4 2 5 2 3

Sep-65 5 3 3 3 7 5 0 5 2 4

Oct-65 3 3 3 1 2 4 2 3 3 2

Nov-65 10 3 3 2 4 4 2 9 3 4

Dec-65 4 7 7 6 14 13 5 7 4 9

Jan-66 11 6 4 2 8 4 3 12 6 14

Feb-66 3 2 3 5 6 2 1 11 3 4

Mar-66 4 2 4 3 3 3 2 11 5 3

Apr-66 3 2 3 4 4 4 2 6 3 2

May-66 4 4 4 3 6 5 5 5 7 7

Jun-66 7 5 4 2 3 13 8 12 6 8

Jul-66 7 6 4 4 6 6 5 11 7 6

Aug-66 15 7 4 12 7 11 8 13 8 6

Sep-66 28 8 9 12 18 16 5 10 7 8

Oct-66 11 4 4 7 8 8 9 10 7 4

Nov-66 7 2 3 16 8 6 6 13 5 3

Dec-66 7 4 5 14 10 12 4 8 8 6

Jan-67 8 4 7 15 13 7 6 22 23 8

Feb-67 5 6 6 22 8 8 13 38 6 4

Mar-67 6 1 5 11 7 8 5 9 5 3

Apr-67 3 3 6 6 10 7 3 11 5 7

May-67 9 4 7 8 9 12 8 9 6 5

Jun-67 10 5 8 13 14 11 17 18 5 5

Jul-67 15 5 7 8 11 14 28 19 9 3

Aug-67 27 6 15 10 11 17 28 26 10 12

Sep-67 5 3 3 6 4 14 14 22 4 5

Oct-67 5 3 7 7 5 15 24 99 7

Nov-67 6 5 10 6 4 9 8 49 7

Dec-67 9 7 17 7 3 3 9 92 4

Jan-68 8 4 12 5 6 3 8 29 5

Feb-68 15 9 23 12 7 6 10 33 11

Mar-68 14 18 22 8 9 17 11 116 28

Apr-68 16 11 13 9 6 27 31 182 10

May-68 8 9 17 10 7 21 70 155 8

Jun-68 6 6 8 12 4 51 68 110 18

Jul-68 5 4 7 4 4 14 14 31 3

Aug-68 9 6 8 5 7 9 10 17 4
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 43 of 56

Table 4-A-1. (Continued)

S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-50 S-51

Sep-68 6 6 7 5 5 4 9 50 3

Oct-68 12 7 8 6 4 11 19 33 3 7 11

Nov-68 7 4 6 3 7 9 6 168 4 4 2

Dec-68 11 6 4 8 6 6 20 357 3 11 3

Jan-69 10 6 9 7 10 15 127 1525 3 7 5

Feb-69 6 4 8 5 5 4 23 129 3 4 3

Mar-69 7 4 3 5 4 2 4 208 2 5 3

Apr-69 7 3 5 3 6 3 22 148 4 4 5 6

May-69 5 11 9 9 9 17 21 28 10 6 9 6

Jun-69 4 4 7 4 4 7 9 68 4 4 7 3

Jul-69 15 7 7 7 4 20 7 20 4 4 11 6

Aug-69 4 6 5 6 5 7 7 22 5 3 6 9

Sep-69 6 6 5 5 6 5 6 19 4 3 5 5

Oct-69 6 3 5 18 3 5 3 12 2 3 3 3

Nov-69 3 2 4 5 4 3 2 12 2 3 4 4

Dec-69 5 4 5 7 4 2 4 32 7 5 4 4

Jan-70 3 2 4 4 4 3 3 12 3 4 2 3

Feb-70 2 4 5 4 3 4 13 33 3 6 2 7

Mar-70 3 4 4 15 3 5 4 10 4 4 3 5

Apr-70 10 5 5 7 9 7 5 7 2 3 5 3

May-70 9 4 5 3 4 4 2 10 1 4 4 4

Jun-70 14 7 12 9 57 13 7 10 4 13 7 10

Jul-70 7 5 1 3 2 2 2 4 3 3 4 4

Aug-70 3 4 2 3 2 4 10 4 3 4 2 5

Sep-70 2 6 6 3 3 3 3 5 3 4 4 4

Oct-70 5 3 5 4 3 4 2 5 3 4 3 4

Nov-70 2 6 3 3 5 4 1 3 2 2 4 2

Dec-70 3 4 3 3 3 3 6 5 2 3 4 2

Jan-71 4 4 3 2 3 4 7 5 4 4 4 4

Feb-71 3 4 2 4 4 3 6 7 4 5 3 5

Mar-71 5 4 4 5 3 3 8 8 4 5 8 4

Apr-71 4 4 5 7 4 3 3 26 4 5 5 5

May-71 5 4 5 3 4 6 4 9 4 5 5 4

Jun-71 4 3 4 5 5 4 4 10 4 7 7 4

Jul-71 4 3 5 4 4 12 3 12 3 2 4 2

Aug-71 4 4 6 4 3 3 4 8 4 3 9 4

Sep-71 5 3 6 3 3 3 2 6 3 4 6 3

Oct-71 5 4 4 3 6 3 2 12 2 5 7 5

Nov-71 3 4 6 3 5 5 3 10 2 4 5 4

Dec-71 4 5 4 3 3 4 4 6 3 4 5 4
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 44 of 56

Table 4A-2. Estimated annual average concentrations (fCi m–3) of 239,240Pu in onsite air 

samples between 1965 and 1994 based on measurement data provided in Table 4A-1, RFP 

annual environmental reportsa

, and Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site Monthly and 

Quarterly Monitoring Reports. 

Year Sampling locationb Type of measurement

Conversi

on factor 

to 

239,240Puc

Annual 

average air 

concentration 

(fCi m-3)

Maximum air 

concentration d (fCi m-3)

1965 S1-S10 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 1e 5e

1966 S1-S10 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 3e 10e

1967 S1-S10 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 4e 36e

1968 S1-S8, S10 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 8e 129e

1969 S1-S10, S50-S51 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 9e 549e

1970 S1-S10, S50-S51 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 2e 21e

1971 S1-S10, S50-S51 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 1.8 98.

1972 S1-S10, S50-S51 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 2.1 61.

1973 S1-S10, S50-S52 Total long-lived alpha 0.36 <2.2 262.

1973 S1-S10, S50-S52 239,240Pu 1 <1.2 46.

1974 S1-S10, S50-S52 239,240Pu 1 0.61 16.

1975 S1-S10, S22, S50-S52, Af83, Ac84 239,240Pu 1 <0.20 6.3

1976 S1-S24 239,240Pu 1 0.19 3.9

1977 S1-S24 239,240Pu 1 0.27f 2.8

1978 S5-S9, S19-S21 239,240Pu 1 0.25f 3.5

1979 S2, S5-S9,S15-S16, S19-S21 239,240Pu 1 0.17f 1.6

1980 S5-S9, S16, S19-S21 239,240Pu 1 0.15f 2.2

1981 S5-S9, S16, S19-S21 239,240Pu 1 0.18f 2.0

1982 S5-S9, S16, S19-S21 239,240Pu 1 0.26f.g 1.4

1983 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.23f.g 1.3

1984 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.26f.g 2.2

1985 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.24f.g 1.3

1986 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.26f.g 1.1

1987 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.64f.g 4.2

1988 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.48f.g 1.4

1989 S5-S9 239,240Pu 1 0.37 2.6

1990 S1-S24, S88 239,240Pu 1 0.072 3.1

1991 S1-S25 239,240Pu 1 0.073 3.2

1992 S1-S25 239,240Pu 1 0.099 2.3

1993 S3-S25 239,240Pu 1 0.056 0.85

1994 S3-S25 239,240Pu 1 0.057 1.1

1995 S005-S009,S101-104,S106-

S107,S109-S110, S112, S116, 

S119,S121,S123,S202-S206, S208, 

S211

239,240Pu 1 0.031 0.32

1996 S007, S107 239,240Pu 1 0.077 0.083

1997 S007, S107 239,240Pu 1 0.051 0.42

1998h S007, S107 239,240Pu 1 0.080 0.73

1999 perimeter 239,240Pu 1 0.022i NA

2000 perimeter 239,240Pu 1 0.022i NA

2001 perimeter 239,240Pu 1 0.022i NA

2002 perimeter 239,240Pu 1 0.022i NA

a. Compiled from measurement data provided in Dow (1972 through 1975); Rockwell (1976 through 1989); EG&G (1989 through 1993); 

and Kaiser-Hill (1994).

b. Refer to Figure 4A-1 for samplers through 1994; after 1994, see respective Montly and Quarterly Monitoring Reports for maps.

c. Based on Rope et al. (1999, pp. III-42 – III-46). 

d. The maximum monthly concentration at any one sampling location.

e. Calculated from data in Table 4A-1.

f. Calculated by averaging reported annual volume-weighted average concentration for each sampler.

g. Results only reported for samplers in area of higher measured plutonium air concentrations for RFP. 

h. Based on data collected January through July, 1998.

i. Estimated from reported percent of NESHAPs dose (10 mrem/yr) at perimeter stations (see text in section 4A.1).
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 45 of 56

Table 4A-3. Annual average concentrations (fCi m–3) of 

plutonium in air for three location groups, Rocky Flats 

contractor monitoring (1971–1990)a

 [reproduced from Table B10 in Rope et al. (1999)] 

Onsiteb Perimeter Community

1971 0.26

1972 0.14

1973 0.274 0.05 0.26

1974 0.892 0.058 0.34

1975 0.517 0.037 0.031

1976 0.698 0.015 0.013

1977 0.393 0.038 0.037

1978 0.446 0.06 0.06

1979 0.278 0.02 0.02

1980 0.252 0.01 0.01

1981 0.287 0.018 0.019

1982 0.244 0.005 0.006

1983 0.226 0.003 0.007

1984 0.257 0.005 0.005

1985 0.235 0.002 0.002

1986 0.225 0.005 0.003

1987 0.639 0.005 0.003

1988 0.529 0.003 0.002

1989 0.363 0.001 0.001

1990 0.102 0.002 0.001

a. Obtained from Rocky Flats Plant contractor annual reports. Data are 

plotted as a line chart in Chapter III.

b. Onsite samples are the average of locations S–5, S–6, S–7, S–8, and 

S–9, as numbered in 1975. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 46 of 56

Table 4A-4. Data from Table III-4 in Rope et al. (1999) showing a comparison of 

239,240plutonium concentrations (fCi m–3) in onsite and offsite air, measured by CDH.a

Location 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974

Onsite

D-1 0.29 0.31 1.44 0.74 0.44

D-2 0.37 0.34 0.69 0.62 0.73

D-3 6.29 10.29 4.47 2.87 3.77

D-4 2.21 7.34 5.48 4.63 1.33

APC-56 2.73 1.25 1.77 2.28 0.28 0.43

Onsite averageb 2.73 2.08 4.01 2.87 1.83 1.34

Offsite (metro):

D-5 (SE boundary) 0.16 0.13 0.12 0.10 0.10

APC-2 Denver (EPA data)c 0.070 0.077 0.066 0.040 0.015 0.049

APC-15 Arvada 0.16 <0.08 0.06 <0.06 0.25

APC-16 Golden 0.08 <0.11 0.08 <0.06 <0.06 <0.08

APC-19 Boulder 0.13 <0.07 <0.05 <0.06 <0.06

APC-22 Longmont 0.08 0.12 0.07 <0.02 <0.05 <0.1

Offsite (metro) averageb 0.08 0.13 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.12

Offsite (remote):

APC-29 Durango <0.12 <0.02 <0.05

APC-42 Fort Collins <0.04 <0.08 0.14

APC-81 Walsenburg 0.07 <0.06 0.38

APC-108 Rangely 0.1 <0.08 0.13

Offsite (remote) averageb 0.08 0.06 0.18

a. Source: Terry (1992a,b,c). 

b. Averages in this table are arithmetic averages of the annual averages from each station. 

c. Lower minimum detectable concentration for EPA data (0.001 compared to 0.08 for APC-x stations and 

0.03 for D-x stations).
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Table 4A-5. Data from Table B-14 in Rope et al. (1999) showing annual 

average concentrations (fCi m–3) of 239,240Pu in Denver air, 1971–1989. 

Year Average 5th percentile 95th percentile

Method of 

determinationa

1971 6.6 × 10-2 5.3 × 10-2 7.9 × 10-2 M

1972 4.0 × 10-2 3.2 × 10-2 4.8 × 10-2 M

1973 1.5 × 10-2 1.2 × 10-2 1.8 × 10-2 M

1974 4.9 × 10-2 3.9 × 10-2 5.9 × 10-2 M

1975 3.1 × 10-2 2.5 × 10-2 3.7 × 10-2 M

1976 1.1 × 10-2 9.0 × 10-3 1.3 × 10-2 M

1977 3.6 × 10-2 2.8 × 10-2 4.3 × 10-2 M

1978 4.8 × 10-2 3.8 × 10-2 5.7 × 10-2 M

1979 1.2 × 10-2 9.3 × 10-3 1.4 × 10-2 M

1980 7.6 × 10-3 3.8 × 10-3 1.1 × 10-2 M

1981 1.6 × 10-2 3.8 × 10-3 1.1 × 10-2 N

1982 2.3 × 10-3 8.0 × 10-3 2.4 × 10-2 N

1983 1.3 × 10-3 6.5 × 10-4 2.0 × 10-3 M

1984 1.0 × 10-3 5.0 × 10-4 1.5 × 10-3 M

1985 4.5 × 10-3 2.3 × 10-3 6.8 × 10-3 M

1986 2.5 × 10-3 1.2 × 10-3 3.7 × 10-3 M

1987 6.0 × 10-4 3.0 × 10-4 9.0 × 10-4 M

1988 1.0 × 10-4 5.0 × 10-5 1.5 × 10-4 M

1989 7.0 × 10-4 3.5 × 10-4 1.1 × 10-3 M

a. M = average of values measured by the Public Health Service or Environmental 

Protection Agency in Denver for that year; N = no data for Denver, EPA data from New 

York City used. See Figure III-7 and associated text in Rope et al. (1999) for additional 

discussion.
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Table 4A-6. Corrected annual average concentrations 

of 239,240Pu in air at perimeter monitoring stations (from 

Table B-10 in Rope et al. 1999)

Year

239, 240Pu 

Concentration 

(fCi m–3)

a

Net 239, 240Pu 

Concentration

(fCi m–3)

b

1971 2.60E-01 1.94E-01

1972 1.40E-01 1.00E-01

1973 5.00E-02 3.50E-02

1974 5.80E-02 9.00E-03

1975 3.70E-02 6.00E-03

1976 1.50E-02 4.00E-03

1977 3.80E-02 2.00E-03

1978 6.00E-02 1.20E-02

1979 2.00E-02 8.00E-03

1980 1.00E-02 2.40E-03

1981 1.80E-02 2.00E-03

1982 5.00E-03 2.70E-03

1983 3.00E-03 1.70E-03

1984 5.00E-03 4.00E-03

1985 2.00E-03 0.00E+00c

1986 5.00E-03 2.50E-03

1987 5.00E-03 4.40E-03

1988 3.00E-03 2.90E-03

1989 1.00E-03 3.00E-04

1990 2.00E-03 2.00E-03

a. From Table 4A-3.

b. The net concentration is the concentration in the second 

column minus the corresponding average background value 

reported in Table 4A-5. 

c. Average background measurement (Table 4A-5) exceeded 

measured perimeter value.
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ATTACHMENT 4B. SCREENING OF RADIONUCLIDE SOURCE TERMS

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DOSE EVALUATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

B.1 Screening Methodology ............................................................................................................

Page

49

B.2 Tritium.......................................................................................................................................50

B.3 Depleted and Enriched Uranium ............................................................................................... 50

B.4 Americium-241..........................................................................................................................51

References ........................................................................................................................................52

LIST OF TABLES

Table

4-B.2-1 Maximum estimated annual doses for tritium....................................................................

Page

53

4-B.3-1 Maximum estimated annual doses for depleted uranium.................................................. 54

4-B.3-2 Maximum estimated annual doses for enriched uranium.................................................. 55

4-B.4-1 Maximum estimated annual doses for 241Am .................................................................... 56

B.1 SCREENING METHODOLOGY

To evaluate the potential importance of the radionuclides other than plutonium isotopes reported to 

have been released to the air at the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) since operations began in 1952, 

information from Phase I and Phase II of the Historical Public Exposure Studies on Rocky Flats 

(ChemRisk 1994; Rood and Grogan 1999) were used to estimate historical onsite yearly inhalation 

doses for the radionuclides identified. Radionuclides were considered insignificant contributors to 

dose if estimated maximum annual dose associated with the release was on the order of 1 millirem or 

less for the period of interest.

The source terms described in Phase I were assumed to be reasonable estimates of the releases of 

tritium, depleted uranium, enriched uranium, and 241Am. For Phase I, effluent monitoring data 

reported by the RFP was reviewed, and determined to provide a good basis for estimating airborne 

releases of all radionuclides with the exception of believed underreporting of uranium emissions prior 

to 1961 (ChemRisk 1994, p. 9). For the period before 1978, “total long-lived alpha radioactivity 

measured from facilities which process depleted uranium was assumed to represent depleted 

uranium and total long-lived alpha radioactivity measured from facilities which process enriched 

uranium was assumed to represent enriched uranium” (ChemRisk 1994, p.113). It is important to 

note that the release estimates reported here do not appear to include emissions from the 903 Area, 

which occur as a result of suspension of the primary contamination (i.e., oil-contaminated soil), or 

resuspension of the windblown material deposited downwind. Thus, this component of the emissions 

of 241Am is not fully evaluated here, and is addressed in the Occupational Environmental Dose 

section. 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 50 of 56

To calculate an estimated maximum annual dose from these releases, the release rates were 

multiplied by a normalized air concentration (χ/Q), in s/m3

, to obtain maximum onsite air concentration 

for each radionuclide. The χ/Q value was obtained from atmospheric dispersion modeling done in 

Phase II Comprehensive Assessment of Exposure and Lifetime Cancer Incidence Risk from 

Plutonium Released from the Rocky Flats Plant, 1953-1989 (Rood and Grogan 1999), where all 

identified sources of plutonium were considered together to develop plutonium air concentration 

profiles of the RFP vicinity. The maximum χ/Q value for the industrial area and buffer zone was 

selected for estimating annual air concentrations. The model predicted a maximum χ/Q of 6.28 ×10-6

s/m3 at a computational node in the north-central portion of the industrial area of the site.

Calculated annual air concentrations were multiplied by an inhalation rate of 2,400 m3

/yr, representing 

a 2,000-hr work year and 1.2 m3 per hour inhalation rate to obtain an estimate of annual radionuclide 

intake. The annual intake for each radionuclide was multiplied by its respective inhalation dose factor 

from International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 72 (ICRP 1996) for 

tritium and 241Am, and from a Phase II report (Voillequé 1999) for uranium, to obtain an estimate of 

maximum annual dose.

B.2 TRITIUM

Tritium is known to have been released both during routine RFP operations and accidents. Routine 

releases were reported in annual reports after 1973 (ChemRisk 1994), and were estimated to be less 

than 10 Ci per year. Several larger releases of tritium were documented and reviewed in the Phase I 

study. The three most significant incidents with respect to tritium release occurred in 1968, 1973, and 

1974. The highest estimated release of tritium cited in the Phase I study occurred in the 1973 

accident, where it was reported that up to 350 to 1,600 Ci of tritium were released in exhausted air 

from Building 779A. 

The estimated annual releases (Q) of tritium, in Ci/yr, from the Phase I study are listed in Table 4B-1. 

This table includes the inhalation dose factor assumed for tritium (ICRP 1996) and the calculated 

dose for each year. For screening purposes, this inhalation factor corresponds to the highest value 

reported for all forms of tritium compounds (ICRP 1996), representing Type S particulate tritium 

compounds, and is approximately 14 times higher than the value for tritiated water vapor. While this 

is an overestimate of the dose factor for the most likely form of tritium (water vapor), the χ/Q used may 

somewhat underestimate the true normalized air concentration for tritiated water vapor, as it assumes 

the emitted compounds are particulate, and thus that deposition occurs. From Table 4B-1, the 

maximum dose was calculated for 1953 to 1989 to be less than 1 mrem/yr. Thus, tritium was an 

insignificant contributor to inhalation dose based on the criterion put forth in the first paragraph of this 

appendix, and is not addressed further in this Technical Basis Document (TBD).

B.3 DEPLETED AND ENRICHED URANIUM

Uranium was processed at RFP in two forms: depleted and enriched. Release estimates in the 

Phase I studies (ChemRisk 1994) were developed for both forms. Until 1978, estimated release of 

both forms rely on measurements of total long-lived alpha (TLLα), because routine isotopic analyses

of effluent sample filters from uranium facilities were not performed until that time. After 1978, not all 

uranium isotopes of interest were routinely measured. Thus, the Phase I analysis based estimates on 

known alpha activity fractions for the two types of uranium. 

Approximately 15 mCi of depleted uranium and 7 mCi of enriched uranium were released to the RFP 

air environment between 1953 and 1989. According to the ChemRisk (1994) analysis, more than 
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 51 of 56

90% of the activity released is estimated to have occurred before 1970, with the highest releases in 

the 1950s. 

The estimated annual releases (Q) of depleted and enriched uranium, in μCi/yr, from the Phase I 

study are listed in Tables 4B-2 and 4B-3. These tables include the inhalation dose factors assumed 

for the two forms of uranium, taken from a Phase II study (Voillequé 1999), and the calculated doses 

for each year. The dose factors were converted from effective dose, in rem per μg inhaled (Table 3 in 

Voillequé 1999), using specific activities for enriched and depleted uranium (Table 1 in Voillequé 

1999), as listed below.

Type of 

uranium

Specific activity 

(μCi/μg)

Effective dose (rem) 

per μg inhaled

Dose factor used in 

Tables 4-B.3-1 and 

4-B.3-2 (mrem/μCi)

Depleted 3.6 × 10-7 1.1 × 10-5 3.06 × 104

Enriched 6.5 × 10-5 2.3 × 10-3 3.54 × 104

From Tables 4B-2 and 4B-3, the maximum doses were calculated for 1953 to 1989 to be always less 

than 1 mrem/yr, and generally less than 0.1 mrem per year. Thus, depleted and enriched uranium 

were insignificant contributors to inhalation dose based on the criterion put forth in the first paragraph 

of this attachment, and are not addressed further in this TBD. This conclusion is supported by the 

conclusions of the analysis by Voillequé (1999) in the Phase II study, which found that releases of 

enriched and depleted uranium at RFP pose substantially less risk (in terms of radiological dose) than 

plutonium releases.

B.4 AMERICIUM-241 

Americium-241, a decay product of 241Pu, exists as an undesirable contaminant in weapons-grade 

plutonium. Although RFP plutonium initially contained about 0.0001% 241Am (ChemRisk 1994, p. 

106), the 241Am-to239/240Pu ratio increases over time due to decay of 241Pu. Not until 1985 was 241Am 

routinely monitored at RFP. Thus, an estimate of the release rate of this isotope from all possible 

sources requires assumptions regarding the ratio of its activity to other alpha emitters for which 

activity was measured. Based on data for 1985 through 1989, the average ratio of 241Am-to239/240Pu 

emissions was about 22% (ChemRisk 1994, p. 110). Therefore, the Phase I work assumed that this 

ratio existed throughout the entire operational period of the facility to derive estimated releases of 

241Am, in μCi/yr, listed in Table 4B-4. This assumption might not be realistic if efforts were made to 

separate the 241Am from the plutonium being processed, but it is likely more applicable to 

resuspension releases of this isotope that occur years after the plutonium was deposited on the soil.

Table 4B-4 estimates show peak 241Am releases occurring in 1957 (because the peak 239/240Pu 

releases occurred that year from the 1957 fire) and dropping off dramatically since 1976. A total of 

11 mCi is calculated to have been released, with 34% of that in 1957. 

Table 4B-4 includes the inhalation dose factor assumed for 241Am (ICRP 1996) and the calculated 

dose for each year. From Table 4B-4, the maximum dose was calculated for 1953 to 1989 to be 

approximately 2 mrem/yr, in 1957. However, for all other years the estimated maximum dose was 

less than 1 mrem/yr and orders of magnitude less for many years. Thus, 241Am was an insignificant 

contributor to inhalation dose based on the criterion in the first paragraph of this attachment, and is 

not addressed further in this TBD.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 52 of 56

REFERENCES

ChemRisk. 1994. Estimating Historical Emissions from Rocky Flats 1952–1989. Project Task 5 for 

Phase I. Prepared by ChemRisk for the Colorado Department of Public Health and 

Environment. ChemRisk, A division of McLaren/Hart, 1135 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, 

California 94501, March.

ICRP 1996. Age-dependent Doses to Members of the Public from Intake of Radionuclides: Part 5. 

Compilation of Ingestion and Inhalation Dose Coefficients

Rood, A. S. and H. A. Grogan, Comprehensive Assessment of Exposure and Lifetime Cancer 

Incidence Risk from Plutonium Released from the Rocky Flats Plant, 1953-1989, RAC Report 

no. 13-CDPHE-RFP-1999-Final, Radiological Assessments Corporation, September 1999.

, ICRP Publication 72, International 

Commission on Radiological Protection, Elsevier Science, Inc., Tarrytown, New York.

Voillequé, P.G. 1999. Results of Screening Calculations to Assess the Relative Importance of Rocky 

Flats Uranium Releases. RAC Report No. 11-CDPHE-RFP-1999-FINAL, Radiological 

Assessments Corporation, Neeses, South Carolina. August.
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 53 of 56

Table 4B-1. Maximum estimated annual doses for tritium. 

Year

Annual tritium releasea 

95% CL 

Calculated air 

concentrationb 

Maximum 

tritium dosec 

GMd (Ci/yr) 95% CLd (Ci/yr) uCi/m3 mrem/yr

1953 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1954 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1955 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1956 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1957 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1958 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1959 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1960 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1961 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1962 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1963 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1964 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1965 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1966 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1967 NA 8.00E+02 1.59E-04 3.68E-01

1968 NA 3.90E+02 7.76E-05 1.79E-01

1969 NA 3.90E+02 7.76E-05 1.79E-01

1970 NA 3.90E+02 7.76E-05 1.79E-01

1971 NA 3.90E+02 7.76E-05 1.79E-01

1972 NA 3.90E+02 7.76E-05 1.79E-01

1973 NA 3.90E+02 7.76E-05 1.79E-01

1974 2.50E+01 5.70E+01 1.13E-05 2.62E-02

1975 3.90E+00 8.80E+00 1.75E-06 4.04E-03

1976 3.10E+00 7.00E+00 1.39E-06 3.22E-03

1977 1.40E+00 3.10E+00 6.17E-07 1.42E-03

1978 2.30E+00 5.30E+00 1.06E-06 2.44E-03

1979 2.20E+00 4.90E+00 9.75E-07 2.25E-03

1980 2.00E+00 4.60E+00 9.16E-07 2.11E-03

1981 1.10E+00 2.60E+00 5.18E-07 1.20E-03

1982 6.00E-01 1.40E+00 2.79E-07 6.43E-04

1983 4.20E-01 9.40E-01 1.87E-07 4.32E-04

1984 3.60E-01 8.20E-01 1.63E-07 3.77E-04

1985 4.20E-01 9.40E-01 1.87E-07 4.32E-04

1986 5.70E-01 1.30E+00 2.59E-07 5.98E-04

1987 4.40E-01 9.90E-01 1.97E-07 4.55E-04

1988 6.80E-02 1.50E-01 2.99E-08 6.89E-05

1989 4.40E-01 9.90E-01 1.97E-07 4.55E-04

a. From Phase I studies (ChemRisk 1994)

b. Based on maximum χ/Q of 6.28 x 10-6 s/m3

c. Assuming dose factor of 9.62 x 10-1 mrem/μCi and intake rate of 2,400 m3

/year

d. GM = geometric mean; CL = confidence limits
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 54 of 56

Table 4B-2. Maximum estimated annual doses for depleted uranium. 

Year

Annual depleted 

uranium releasea 

95% CL 

Calculated air 

concentrationb 

Maximum 

depleted 

uranium dosec 

GMd (μCi/yr) 95% CLd (μCi/yr) uCi/m3 mrem/yr

1953 1.60E+03 4.00E+03 7.96E-10 5.85E-02

1954 1.60E+03 4.00E+03 7.96E-10 5.85E-02

1955 2.70E+03 7.00E+03 1.39E-09 1.02E-01

1956 1.30E+03 3.30E+03 6.57E-10 4.82E-02

1957 9.50E+02 2.40E+03 4.78E-10 3.51E-02

1958 2.10E+03 5.30E+03 1.06E-09 7.75E-02

1959 3.50E+02 9.00E+02 1.79E-10 1.32E-02

1960 4.60E+02 1.20E+03 2.39E-10 1.75E-02

1961 6.80E+02 1.70E+03 3.38E-10 2.49E-02

1962 4.80E+02 1.20E+03 2.39E-10 1.75E-02

1963 6.40E+02 1.60E+03 3.19E-10 2.34E-02

1964 3.10E+02 8.00E+02 1.59E-10 1.17E-02

1965 3.60E+02 9.30E+02 1.85E-10 1.36E-02

1966 1.80E+02 4.70E+02 9.36E-11 6.87E-03

1967 1.80E+02 4.70E+02 9.36E-11 6.87E-03

1968 1.80E+02 4.70E+02 9.36E-11 6.87E-03

1969 2.10E+02 5.30E+02 1.06E-10 7.75E-03

1970 2.50E+02 6.30E+02 1.25E-10 9.21E-03

1971 7.50E+01 1.90E+02 3.78E-11 2.78E-03

1972 5.50E+01 1.40E+02 2.79E-11 2.05E-03

1973 7.00E+01 1.80E+02 3.58E-11 2.63E-03

1974 1.20E+01 3.00E+01 5.97E-12 4.39E-04

1975 3.60E+01 9.30E+01 1.85E-11 1.36E-03

1976 1.60E+01 4.00E+01 7.96E-12 5.85E-04

1977 2.50E+01 6.30E+01 1.25E-11 9.21E-04

1978 4.30E+01 1.10E+02 2.19E-11 1.61E-03

1979 3.40E+01 8.70E+01 1.73E-11 1.27E-03

1980 2.00E+01 5.00E+01 9.95E-12 7.31E-04

1981 2.30E+01 6.00E+01 1.19E-11 8.77E-04

1982 2.50E+01 6.30E+01 1.25E-11 9.21E-04

1983 4.00E+01 1.00E+02 1.99E-11 1.46E-03

1984 7.20E+00 1.80E+01 3.58E-12 2.63E-04

1985 5.10E+01 1.30E+02 2.59E-11 1.90E-03

1986 3.80E+00 9.70E+00 1.93E-12 1.42E-04

1987 1.60E+01 4.00E+01 7.96E-12 5.85E-04

1988 1.20E+01 3.10E+01 6.17E-12 4.53E-04

1989 3.30E+00 8.30E+00 1.65E-12 1.21E-04

a. From Phase I studies (ChemRisk 1994)

b. Based on maximum χ/Q of 6.28 x 10-6 s/m3

c. Assuming dose factor of 3.06 x 104 mrem/μCi and intake rate of 2,400 m3/year

d. GM = geometric mean; CL = confidence limits
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 55 of 56

Table 4B-3. Maximum estimated annual doses for enriched uranium. 

Year

Annual enriched uranium 

releasea 

95% CL 

Calculated air 

concentrationb 

Maximum 

enriched 

uranium dosec 

GMd (μCi/yr) 95% CLd (μCi/yr) uCi/m3 mrem/yr

1953 1.20E+01 3.00E+01 5.97E-12 5.07E-04

1954 1.20E+01 3.00E+01 5.97E-12 5.07E-04

1955 9.60E+01 2.50E+02 4.98E-11 4.23E-03

1956 1.40E+03 3.70E+03 7.37E-10 6.26E-02

1957 4.70E+02 1.20E+03 2.39E-10 2.03E-02

1958 4.00E+02 1.00E+03 1.99E-10 1.69E-02

1959 7.00E+02 1.80E+03 3.58E-10 3.04E-02

1960 1.10E+03 2.90E+03 5.77E-10 4.90E-02

1961 6.20E+02 1.60E+03 3.19E-10 2.71E-02

1962 3.20E+02 8.30E+02 1.65E-10 1.40E-02

1963 4.30E+02 1.10E+03 2.19E-10 1.86E-02

1964 2.50E+02 6.30E+02 1.25E-10 1.07E-02

1965 2.50E+02 6.30E+02 1.25E-10 1.07E-02

1966 3.00E+02 7.70E+02 1.53E-10 1.30E-02

1967 1.40E+02 3.70E+02 7.37E-11 6.26E-03

1968 2.10E+02 5.30E+02 1.06E-10 8.96E-03

1969 6.50E+01 1.70E+02 3.38E-11 2.88E-03

1970 8.30E+01 2.10E+02 4.18E-11 3.55E-03

1971 5.30E+01 1.40E+02 2.79E-11 2.37E-03

1972 5.20E+00 1.30E+01 2.59E-12 2.20E-04

1973 1.60E+01 4.00E+01 7.96E-12 6.77E-04

1974 3.50E+01 9.00E+01 1.79E-11 1.52E-03

1975 3.60E+01 9.30E+01 1.85E-11 1.57E-03

1976 2.10E+01 5.30E+01 1.06E-11 8.96E-04

1977 2.70E+01 7.00E+01 1.39E-11 1.18E-03

1978 2.70E+01 7.00E+01 1.39E-11 1.18E-03

1979 1.20E+01 3.10E+01 6.17E-12 5.24E-04

1980 2.00E+01 5.00E+01 9.95E-12 8.46E-04

1981 1.60E+01 4.00E+01 7.96E-12 6.77E-04

1982 1.60E+01 4.00E+01 7.96E-12 6.77E-04

1983 2.60E+01 6.70E+01 1.33E-11 1.13E-03

1984 2.60E+01 6.70E+01 1.33E-11 1.13E-03

1985 1.00E+01 2.60E+01 5.18E-12 4.40E-04

1986 1.40E+01 3.70E+01 7.37E-12 6.26E-04

1987 6.00E+00 1.50E+01 2.99E-12 2.54E-04

1988 3.40E+00 8.70E+00 1.73E-12 1.47E-04

1989 6.80E+00 1.70E+01 3.38E-12 2.88E-04

a. From Phase I studies (ChemRisk 1994)

b. Based on maximum χ/Q of 6.28 x 10-6 s/m3

c. Assuming dose factor of 3.54 x 104 mrem/μCi and intake rate of 2,400 m3/year

d. GM = geometric mean; CL = confidence limits
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 Revision No. 01 Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0011-4 Page 56 of 56

Table 4B-4. Maximum estimated annual doses for 241Am. 

Year

Annual 241Am releasea 

95% CL 

calculated air 

concentrationb 

Maximum 

241Am dosec 

GMd (μCi/yr) 95% CLd (μCi/yr) uCi/m3 mrem/yr

1953 5.00E-01 1.30E+00 2.59E-13 2.21E-04

1954 1.70E+01 4.30E+01 8.56E-12 7.30E-03

1955 1.80E+01 4.70E+01 9.36E-12 7.98E-03

1956 5.70E+01 1.50E+02 2.99E-11 2.55E-02

1957 3.80E+03 9.70E+03 1.93E-09 1.65E+00

1958 7.80E+02 2.00E+03 3.98E-10 3.39E-01

1959 3.50E+02 9.00E+02 1.79E-10 1.53E-01

1960 3.20E+02 8.20E+02 1.63E-10 1.39E-01

1961 3.80E+02 9.70E+02 1.93E-10 1.65E-01

1962 7.60E+02 1.90E+03 3.78E-10 3.22E-01

1963 9.10E+02 2.30E+03 4.58E-10 3.90E-01

1964 7.00E+02 1.80E+03 3.58E-10 3.05E-01

1965 1.70E+03 4.30E+03 8.56E-10 7.30E-01

1966 8.10E+01 2.10E+02 4.18E-11 3.56E-02

1967 1.00E+02 2.60E+02 5.18E-11 4.41E-02

1968 1.20E+02 3.20E+02 6.37E-11 5.43E-02

1969 3.50E+02 9.00E+02 1.79E-10 1.53E-01

1970 9.50E+01 2.40E+02 4.78E-11 4.07E-02

1971 1.80E+01 4.70E+01 9.36E-12 7.98E-03

1972 1.50E+01 3.90E+01 7.76E-12 6.62E-03

1973 1.50E+01 3.90E+01 7.76E-12 6.62E-03

1974 2.90E+02 7.50E+02 1.49E-10 1.27E-01

1975 3.10E+01 7.90E+01 1.57E-11 1.34E-02

1976 1.20E+00 3.20E+00 6.37E-13 5.43E-04

1977 1.20E+00 3.20E+00 6.37E-13 5.43E-04

1978 8.70E-01 2.20E+00 4.38E-13 3.73E-04

1979 1.70E+00 4.30E+00 8.56E-13 7.30E-04

1980 3.60E+00 9.30E+00 1.85E-12 1.58E-03

1981 2.50E+00 6.50E+00 1.29E-12 1.10E-03

1982 6.20E+00 1.60E+01 3.19E-12 2.72E-03

1983 2.40E+01 6.10E+01 1.21E-11 1.04E-02

1984 2.40E+01 6.10E+01 1.21E-11 1.04E-02

1985 2.80E+00 7.20E+00 1.43E-12 1.22E-03

1986 1.30E+01 3.30E+01 6.57E-12 5.60E-03

1987 4.50E+00 1.20E+01 2.39E-12 2.04E-03

1988 2.80E+00 7.20E+00 1.43E-12 1.22E-03

1989 1.50E+00 3.90E+00 7.76E-13 6.62E-04

a. From Phase I studies (ChemRisk 1994)

b. Based on maximum χ/Q of 6.28 x 10-6 s/m3

c. Assuming dose factor of 3.55 x 105 mrem/μCi and intake rate of 2,400 m3/year

d. GM = geometric mean; CL = confidence limits